Here are some of the latest construction projects (and their estimated completion dates) underway in Fairfax County, as provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
• Burke Lake Road: Widening from two to four lanes from Lee Chapel Road to the Fairfax County Parkway (1.2 miles). Completion: fall 2005.
• Dulles Toll Road: Sign improvements. Some readers complain that the printed toll information is too small and not provided until the collection points, and that the Smart Tag lanes are not clearly marked. Completion: June 2005.
• Dulles Toll Road/Beltway: Widening connecting ramps from one to two lanes. This should ease congestion for traffic getting on and off the Beltway. Completion: September 2005.
• Interstate 395: Sign improvements between Washington Boulevard and the District line. Some readers have complained about the absence of a destination sign for the George Washington Memorial Parkway. That will be addressed in this project. Completion: end of 2005-spring 2006.
• Lorton Road: Widening from two to six lanes between Route 1 and Silverbrook Road, including a new bridge over Pohick Creek (1.06 miles). Completion: August 2006.
• Route 1: Widening to six lanes, divided, with trail on the east side and extra turn lane, from Telegraph Road to Armistead Road. Completion: November 2005.
• Route 28 interchanges: A public-private partnership is building six interchanges in Fairfax and Loudoun counties. They are:
1. Air and Space Museum Parkway: completed.
2. Route 625 (Waxpool and Church roads): fall 2005.
3. Route 606 (Old Ox Road): winter 2004-spring 2005.
4. Westfields Boulevard: fall 2005.
5. Route 846 (Sterling Boulevard): fall 2006.
6. McLearen Road: fall 2006.
These interchanges, involving overpasses and underpasses, will eliminate most traffic signals at what are now heavily congested Route 28 choke points.
These construction timetables certainly seem aggressive. Hopefully, they are realistic.
• Route 123, Phase 3: Widening to four lanes, divided, from North Davis Drive to Route 722 (1.9 miles). Completion: May 2006.
