Construction is underway across the 22.5-mile Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project corridor, stretching from I-495 to Route 29 in Gainesville. New express lanes will open in December 2022, with some project features opening as early as fall 2019.
Current construction activities include:
- Constructing bridge foundations at I-495, Route 28, and Route 234 Business interchanges and Bull Run Drive overpass
- Constructing retaining walls along I-66 and Route 28
- Demolition of structures
- Small charge blasting operations at the Route 28 Interchange
- Clearing trees and brush, grading, and installing drainage throughout the corridor
- Demolishing closed ramps at Route 123 Interchange
- Grading and installing drainage at the future park and ride lots at University Boulevard (Gainesville) and Balls Ford Road (Manassas)
- Grading and excavating for the new E.C. Lawrence Park Access Road and temporary realignment of Braddock Road
- Relocating underground and overhead utilities along I-66 and Route 28
This design-build construction project is in the final design phase, with the project team now finalizing many elements of the project design. This includes the final noise analysis, which will determine locations eligible to receive new noise walls.
The Project Sections page of the website provides a closer look at project features and construction activities.
What Neighbors Can Expect
- Construction activities will occur during day and nighttime hours as needed to provide safe working conditions for crews and keep the project on track while balancing construction impacts on project neighbors and motorists.
- Lighting of the construction work area will be directed to minimize light pollution for nearby residents.
- Noise to expect at night includes back-up alarms on equipment and trucks, which are necessary to protect worker safety.
- Noisy construction activities such as bridge demolition and pile driving will be avoided at night, when possible. Some work, such as demolition of bridges over I-66, requires closure of I-66 travel lanes and must occur during overnight hours.
- The project team coordinates with local governments to balance the needs of completing the project with local noise ordinances.
- Project emails and website will be used to communicate major traffic impacts or nighttime work. FAM Construction will reach out directly to communities and residents of adjacent properties as project activities begin and progress near them.
What Drivers Can Expect
- To make room for construction and ensure the safety of drivers and workers, lane closures and temporary traffic shifts are happening throughout the I-66 corridor.
- Planned closures occur during non-rush hour periods to reduce impact on motorists. Four travel lanes will remain available on I-66 during rush hour periods.
- Construction activities above I-66 such as work on bridge piers, decks, and other overhead structures that require lane closures and intermittent traffic stoppages to ensure safety will generally be scheduled for the overnight hours when traffic volumes are lighter.
- Crews are monitoring, refreshing, and repairing pavement markings and other roadway conditions across the project corridor. Drivers are urged to pay attention and slow down through the work zone.
- Additional Virginia State Police troopers and VDOT Safety Service Patrols are assigned to the I-66 corridor to keep traffic moving through the work zone by responding to incidents and swiftly removing them from the roadway.
- To help commuters during construction on I-66, reduced bus fares and financial incentives to form new carpools and telework programs have been implemented to provide drivers with new commuting alternatives.
Staying Informed
Subscribe to Transform 66 Project email updates for the latest information on lane closures and traffic impacts, as well as to learn about construction progress and other project developments. Sign up here.
Have questions or feedback about construction activity near you? Email FAM Construction at outreach@fam66.us or call 703-662-3892. Find the full list of project contacts here.
