Old Dominion News

Construction has begun on a project to widen approximately two miles of Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) between Route 123 (Ox Road) and Nomes Court/Ladues End Lane. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is overseeing the project.

The construction involves several improvements. These include installing concrete median barriers along tight curves and raised grass medians elsewhere. A 10-foot-wide shared-use path will be built along Fairfax County Parkway between Route 123 and Burke Centre Parkway. Additionally, a grade-separated bicyclist and pedestrian crossing will be added just north of Burke Centre Parkway.

Modifications at the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Burke Centre Parkway consist of a new westbound Burke Centre Parkway free-flow right-turn lane. The Route 123 interchange will receive enhancements by widening the southbound Fairfax County Parkway ramp to Route 123 from one lane to two, and adding a third left-turn lane to southbound Route 123. There are plans to enhance the sound wall along southbound Fairfax County Parkway between Clara Barton Drive and Route 123, pending community input.

The main goals of the project are to ease congestion and improve safety, operations, and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Traffic impacts during construction include daytime lane closures outside of peak travel hours on weekdays and overnight lane closures along Fairfax County Parkway, Route 123, and Burke Centre Parkway. These closures will facilitate work on shoulder-strengthening within the project area, scheduled to occur from April 27 to May 30.

A meeting titled "pardon our dust" is set for Wednesday, May 14, at the VDOT Northern Virginia District Office. The meeting will include a presentation on the project's construction phase and a Q&A session.

This $126 million project is expected to complete by mid-2027, funded through federal, state, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and local resources.

The project area is close to the Fairfax County Parkway widening north project and the Fairfax County Parkway and Popes Head Road interchange project. Once these are completed, Fairfax County Parkway will have six continuous lanes over an eight-mile stretch, easing congestion at the Popes Head Road traffic signal.

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to remain cautious in active work zones, watch for new traffic patterns, and minimize distractions. For updates on traffic, work zones, and incidents, VDOT advises checking online resources or the 511Virginia app.