Under Construction

About the Project

The new $69.5 million interchange is partially funded through stimulus. The project widens Fairfax County Parkway from four to six lanes from south of I-66 to north of Rugby Road (more than three miles). Signals will be eliminated and entrance and exit ramps will be constructed to and from the Fairfax County Parkway, Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive. Shared-use paths and sidewalks will enhance pedestrian access at the interchange and to the Rocky Run Stream Valley Park trail system.

Improved traffic flow on all three of these roads will save daily commuters time on their trips to work, school and shopping once the project is completed. In addition to the new interchange, drivers will enjoy the following benefits:

• No signals on Fairfax County Parkway from Popes Head Road to Route 50.
• Significantly improved traffic flow on Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive by separating local and Parkway traffic.
• Improved traffic flow at I-66, Route 50 and Rugby Road with the additional lanes of Fairfax County Parkway.

The interchange has been planned since the 1980s when the Parkway was first built—much of the needed right-of-way was set aside at that time.

Long-Term Traffic Impacts

As part of the project, the existing North Lake Drive intersection with the Fairfax County Parkway is being removed to enhance safety on the Parkway. Alternative access for North Lake Drive is  provided via Tall Timbers Drive.

A phased construction plan is designed to minimize traffic delays along the Fairfax County Parkway. The Parkway will retain full access to Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive during construction, but will require some traffic shifts. Traffic signals at Fair Lakes Parkway and Fair Lakes Circle will be adjusted as needed to minimize impacts.

Fairfax County Parkway will be temporarily shifted with decreased speed limits to the newly built northbound and southbound ramps, parallel to the Parkway, for about one year for safety purposes.

Construction Updates and Lane Closures

May 2013

The speed limit is increased from 40 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour (as of March 29, 2013) through the project limits.

Note: Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) through traffic is now using the new overpass bridges at Fair Lakes and Monument Drive. Local traffic still exits at the ramps to access Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive. Please be aware of the new traffic pattern.

Fairfax County Parkway:
Crews will install final asphalt and pavement markings at night with lane closures. Please be aware of new traffic patterns and surfaces. 

Crews continue to set permanent overhead and ground-mounted signs, perform final grading and landscaping, install light poles, new curb and guardrail.

The speed limit is increased to 50 miles per hour (as of March 29, 2013) through the project limits.

Fair Lakes Parkway/Monument Drive:  
Crews will install final asphalt and pavement markings at night under lane closures. Please be aware of new traffic patterns and surfaces. 

Trail:
The multipurpose trail that runs adjacent to northbound Fairfax County Parkway around to the ramp for Rt. 50 eastbound is open. The trail will be paved this month (work will require a one-day closure; date will be posted on this page).

Lane Closures for May 2013

• Expect night work for final asphalt and striping: single-lane closures overnight on the Fairfax County Parkway, Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive with possible detours.
• Expect shoulder and single-lane closures in both directions along the Fairfax County Parkway, Route 50, Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive during non-peak hours. 
• Overhead sign work will require some overnight single-lane closures and temporary stoppages southbound on Fairfax County Parkway just south of Rt. 50..

Night paving: The contractor will install the last lift of surface pavement and permanent pavement markings at night. Work will require single-lane closures on the Fairfax County Parkway, Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument at night. 

Fair Lakes Community

A number of features have been incorporated in the project’s design to preserve and aesthetically enhance the identity of Fair Lakes:

• Retaining walls to reduce right-of-way impacts and preserve existing trees
• Retaining walls and sound barriers with an ashlar stone finish
• Ornamental lighting along pedestrian facilities
• Landscaping

The Fair Lakes League has plans for additional landscaping, irrigation systems, new community signage and will supplement future maintenance of the project’s grass and landscaped areas. Their continued efforts will ensure a sense of place remains once the project is complete.

Resources

Interchange plans and Fairfax County Parkway plans
Presentation from Pardon Our Dust meeting (Oct. 27, 2010)
Detour maps and details

News Releases
VDOT Breaks Ground on Interchange at Fairfax County Parkway and Fair Lakes (Oct. 22, 2010)