Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) Interchange

Major reconstruction of the Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) Interchange is a part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. The new interchange design:

Provides access to and from the future Express Lanes from I-66 East and West
Improves safety at the interchange
Connects the City of Fairfax and the planned George Snyder Trail with the new shared-use path and neighborhoods in Oakton with a grade-separated trail through the Route 123 Interchange

Get a closer look with the Transform 66 Interactive Map.

Express Lanes Access at Route 123

A ramp from both northbound and southbound Route 123 to the eastbound 66 Express Lanes.
A ramp from both northbound and southbound Route 123 to the westbound 66 Express Lanes.
Ramps from both directions of the 66 Express Lanes to Route 123 North and South.

Drivers will have improved connections from Route 123 North and South to the I-66 East and West general-purpose lanes.

66 Express Lanes Access at VA-123

New Ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West Now Open

The new permanent ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West opened during the early morning hours on April 20. The temporary left turn and connector ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West has been closed.

Drivers should expect the following traffic change pattern:

Ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 West

The new permanent ramp is on the right side of the roadway near the previous ramp’s location (see graphic below).
Drivers on Route 123 South will no longer be able to make a left turn at the traffic signal to reach I-66 West.

New Loop Ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 East is Now Open

The new, permanent loop ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 East is open. The current left turn to the temporary connector ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 East has been closed.

Drivers should expect the following new traffic pattern:

Ramp from Route 123 South to I-66 East

This new ramp is part of the final design of the reconstructed I-66/Route 123 Interchange.
Drivers on Route 123 South will no longer be able to make a left turn at the temporary traffic signal to reach I-66 East.

Construction Update (Updated May 19, 2023)

Recent Construction Progress:

Route 123 South travel lanes approaching I-66 shifted into their permanent alignment in October 2022
Box culverts have been installed for shared-use path through the interchange
All I-66 East and West travel lanes shifted to new pavement on the right side (outer portion) of the roadway
Route 123 traffic over I-66 has shifted to the new Route 123 North Bridge (Northbound shifted in December 2020; Southbound shifted in January 2021)
New ramps have opened for Route 123 North to I-66 West (opened November 2021), Route 123 South to I-66 East (opened March 2022), and Route 123 South to I-66 West (opened April 2022)

Upcoming Construction Activities:

Construction of shared-use path along I-66 (66 Parallel Trail) and into City of Fairfax (connection to George Snyder Trail)
Construction of new intersection between I-66 and Eaton Place

Aerial view of the Route 123 area

Aerial view of the Route 123 area. (April 2023)

What Neighbors Can Expect

Noisy construction activities such as bridge demolition and pile driving will be avoided at night, when possible. Noise to expect at night includes back-up alarms on equipment and trucks, which is necessary to protect worker safety.
Lighting of the construction work area will be directed to minimize light pollution for nearby residents.
Project emails and website will be used to communicate major traffic switches or nighttime work.

Timeline

Anticipated Schedule	Dates
Clearing activities begin	Spring 2018
Traffic pattern shifts begin	April 2019
Ramp and bridge work begin	Summer 2019
Demolition of ramp from I-66 West to Route 123 South	January-February 2020
Traffic shifts to new Route 123 bridge span	December 30, 2020
Demolition of old Route 123 bridge span	January-February 2021
Construction of second Route 123 bridge span begins	Winter 2021
Express Lanes opened	November 2022