January News on the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project

Issue 44 | January 2023

Along about seven miles of Route 7, we're adding a third lane and shared-use paths in each direction, building a pedestrian underpass to access Colvin Run Mill Park, replacing and raising the bridge over Difficult Run, and making many intersection, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Learn more.

Construction Updates

In December, crews continued construction activities along the corridor:

Area 1: Reston Avenue to Colvin Forest Drive (Except Baron Cameron Avenue Intersection)

Continued construction of the shared-use paths along Route 7.

Area 2: Baron Cameron Intersection

Continued construction of the permanent right-turn lane from eastbound Route 7 to Baron Cameron Avenue.

Area 3: Difficult Run Area (Colvin Forest Drive to Faulkner Drive)

Continued construction of the foundations, substructure, and retaining wall for the new Difficult Run bridge on westbound Route 7.
Continued storm sewer installation between the new pedestrian underpass at Colvin Run Mill Park and Difficult Run.

Area 4: Faulkner Drive to Jarrett Valley Drive

Commenced construction of the noise barrier along westbound Route 7 west of Forestville Drive.
Continued noise barrier panel installation along eastbound Route 7 on the east and west sides of Old Ash Grove.
Paved along eastbound Route 7 between Middleton Ridge Road and Atwood Road and shifted traffic to the south.
Paved along eastbound Route 7 between Lucky Estates Drive and the east side of McLean Bible Church and shifted traffic to the south.
Opened new access to Lucky Estates Drive from Route 7.

Third-party utility design and relocation activities are also ongoing.

Click here to learn more about the design and construction schedule, environmental efforts, right of way, noise walls and other project details.

The substructure of the new westbound Route 7 bridge over Difficult Run is under construction. Girder installation will follow in early 2023.

Click here to see additional December photos.

Asphalt has been placed for the new lanes of eastbound Route 7 between Baron Cameron Avenue and Downey Drive.

Work Continues Along Route 7

Construction activities will continue along Route 7 through the winter months. Please see the project website for information on upcoming lane shifts and other roadway impacts.

Click here for the latest updates on the Washington Gas work that is ongoing along Route 7. For more information on the Washington Gas work, please contact Jeff Hicks, jhicks@washgas.com.

Thanks for Giving Our Crews S P A C E

As a reminder, please refrain from walking through work areas with equipment, materials and ongoing construction activities, including the newly-paved shared-use paths along Route 7. If you have questions or concerns about the construction, please give our crews the space they need to work, and call or email us instead of approaching the work site.

connectroute7@vdot.virginia.gov

833-777-7411

Need to Know More?

You can check out photos and project progress on our website at connectroute7.org. Click News & Updates.

Planned lane closures for the following week are posted each Friday.

Don't forget you can get the latest on work zones, accidents and other incidents by visiting 511virginia.org, using the Virginia 511 app, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. Visit the site or app to create and configure your account for alerts.

You can also check out updates for major incidents @511northernvirginia on Twitter.

Questions?

Visit: www.connectroute7.org

Email: connectroute7@vdot.virginia.gov

Call: 833-777-7411