Trails

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its private partner, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), are working closely with Fairfax and Prince William counties, bike advocacy groups, homeowners associations and local residents to advance the design of planned trail facilities as part of the overall Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.  In addition to providing trails and connections on reconstructed roadways that cross I-66, a high-value trail is being developed in the physically-constrained I-66 corridor.

VDOT developed the concept plan for the I-66 Trail consistent with local jurisdiction trail plans. During earlier public outreach for the project, VDOT received many comments opposed to placing the trail on the residential side of noise barriers in locations where the trail passes near homes. Those comments led to a contract requirement to locate the trail on the highway side of noise barriers in areas adjacent to homes.

I-66 Trail Plan

Conceptual Trail Plan:

Click the trail map above to enlarge

In coordination with Prince William County, a future trail to be constructed by others has been proposed on parallel roadways.  Two segments of this trail adjacent to proposed park and ride lots at University Boulevard and along Balls Ford Road will be constructed as part of the Transform 66 project.

Between Route 29 in Centreville and Gallows Road, the current concept plans show approximately three miles of trail adjacent to the interstate and approximately eight miles of trail behind the noise barrier or with no noise barrier.

Click the trail map above to enlarge

The bike trail will be 10-feet wide, with a two-foot-wide shoulder on each side, in accordance with VDOT standards. In certain space-constrained locations, the trail width may be reduced to eight feet, with shoulders.

Access to the trail will be provided about every half-mile. The 66 project team is working with Fairfax and Prince William counties to identify the best location of each access point. Preliminary access points for the trail between Route 29 and Gallows Road are shown by green arrows in the Conceptual Trail Plan (see above map).

Bridge Crossings

New bridges over I-66 will better accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, while connecting existing and planned bike routes. Two sample cross sections are shown here.

Cross Section of the Proposed Bridges on 1) Jermantown Road and 2) Gallows Road

JERMANTOWN ROAD BRIDGE CROSS SECTION

GALLOWS ROAD BRIDGE CROSS SECTION

Next Steps

Working with the public and key stakeholders, our goal is to create a trail environment that invites cyclist and pedestrian usage and contributes to the “move more people not more cars” mission of the Transform 66 project. Trail design features including the trail alignment and connections along the corridor were included in the overall project design plans at public hearings held in November 2017. 

Trail and Sidewalk Closures

Some construction activities will require trails and sidewalks in the project corridor to be closed for varying periods. This includes trails along the corridor as well as bridges and underpasses that cross I-66. Providing safe alternate routes is a priority for the project team. Detours will be clearly marked to help pedestrians, cyclists, and others remain mobile.

Current Trail and Sidewalk Closures (Updated Jan. 13, 2020)