The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on May 29 that the new Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) and Popes Head Road (Route 654) interchange, featuring triple roundabouts, will partially open to traffic at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
Popes Head Road, which has been closed at Fairfax County Parkway since the removal of the traffic signal on May 27, will reopen at that time. Drivers will be able to use the new overpass. The portions of the interchange opening include southbound Fairfax County Parkway access to both eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road, as well as eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road access to northbound Fairfax County Parkway.
Other movements within the interchange will remain closed until this fall. Northbound Fairfax County Parkway access to eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road will be detoured via northbound Fairfax County Parkway, westbound Braddock Road (Route 620), and southbound Fairfax County Parkway back to Popes Head Road. Eastbound and westbound Popes Head Road access to southbound Fairfax County Parkway will also be detoured using northbound Fairfax County Parkway and westbound Braddock Road back to southbound parkway. Drivers are asked by VDOT to use caution when navigating bridges, ramps, and roundabouts, and to follow posted detour signs.
The overall project is scheduled for completion this fall. It includes construction of a short segment of the future Shirley Gate Road extension for pedestrian and vehicle access to Patriot Park; a shared-use path linking the existing trail system with Patriot Park; reconstruction of the current trail along Fairfax County Parkway; installation of a sidewalk along the north side of Popes Head Road; and extension of Ladues End Lane into a new roundabout at Popes Head Road.
Drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are reminded by VDOT to exercise caution in active work zones due to changing traffic patterns. Additional information about traffic conditions is available online or through mobile services provided by Virginia Department of Transportation.
Virginia Department of Transportation’s responsibilities include building, maintaining, and operating roads as well as managing one of the nation’s largest state highway systems covering tens of thousands of lane-miles across Virginia; providing highway maintenance services; managing traffic through systems like Virginia 511; overseeing land-use permits along state routes; planning construction projects; and maintaining infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels from its headquarters in Richmond, according to the official website.
