Route 28 Interchange

The Transform 66 Project has reconfigured the Route 28 Interchange. The redesigned interchange improves traffic flow on both I-66 and Route 28, and adds Express Lanes access to/from Route 28.

The new design:

Builds a new overpass reconnecting Braddock Road and Walney Road providing direct access to and from I-66, as well as to Route 28 to and from the south. (Opened November 2020)
Improves traffic flow on Route 28 by removing traffic signals between Westfields Boulevard and Route 29 (Lee Highway) in Centreville. (Completed November 2020)
Shifts access to the ballfields at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to a new park access road from Stonecroft Boulevard north of the park. (Opened November 2019)
Adds Express Lanes access to/from Route 28. (Opened November 2022)

Get a closer look at what’s planned through the Transform 66 Interactive Map.

Express Lanes Access at Route 28

Express Lanes access at the Route 28 Interchange includes:

A ramp from the westbound Express Lanes to the westbound general-purpose lanes, northbound and southbound Route 28, and Braddock Road/Walney Road
A ramp from the eastbound Express Lanes to the eastbound general-purpose lanes, northbound Route 28, and Braddock Road/Walney Road
A ramp from Route 28 northbound to the eastbound Express Lanes
A ramp from Route 28 southbound to the westbound and eastbound Express Lanes
A ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to the westbound Express Lanes. Drivers can access the eastbound Express Lanes at Stringfellow Road or by using the ramps from Route 28 North and South

Route 28/66 Express Interchange

Loop Ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to I-66 East Reopened to Traffic on November 7

The right-side loop ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to I-66 East reopened on November 7, as part of the permanent traffic pattern at the I-66/Route 28 Interchange.

Ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to I-66 East

Drivers traveling from Braddock Road/Walney Road to eastbound I-66 will stay to the right and cross over I-66, then use the right-side loop ramp to reach I-66 East.

Loop Ramp from Braddock Road/Walney Road to I-66 East Reopening to Traffic on or about Monday, November 7

New Traffic Pattern on Ramp from I-66 East to Route 28 North

The exit from I-66 East to Route 28 North was modified on September 2, changing how drivers from I-66 East access Route 28 North and the Braddock Road/Walney Road exit.

The following changes are now in effect:

Drivers from I-66 East to Route 28 North will use the current flyover ramp to cross over I-66, then stay to the left at a new split and use new roadway to travel under the Braddock Road/Walney Road overpass, then merge with Route 28 North.
Drivers from I-66 East to Braddock Road/Walney Road will use the current flyover ramp to cross over I-66, then stay to the right at the new split to join the ramp from Route 28 North to Braddock Road/Walney Road.
Drivers from Route 28 North to Braddock Road/Walney Road will continue to stay to the left over I-66 and use the current left exit to Braddock Road/Walney Road.
Drivers through the area on Route 28 North should be alert for vehicles merging from the left north of the Braddock Road/Walney Road overpass.

This will be the permanent movement for this ramp as part of the reconstruction of the I-66/Route 28 Interchange.

Traffic pattern change on Ramp from I-66 East to Route 28 North

Relocated Exit from I-66 West to Route 28 North and Braddock Road/Walney Road Now Open

The exit from I-66 West to Route 28 North and Braddock Road/Walney Road has been relocated approximately one-half mile prior to (east of) the old exit. The relocated exit opened the morning of March 22. The new exit location is immediately after the I-66 bridge over Stringfellow Road and will be the permanent location for this exit. The collector-distributor lane adjacent to I-66 West at the Route 286 Interchange will become the fourth travel lane when it enters I-66 West.

Relocated Exit from I-66 West to Route 28 North and Braddock Road/Walney Road

Old Route 28 South Bridge Demolition Complete

Route 28 South traffic shifted to the new bridge over I-66 in October 2021. After the shift, demolition of the old Route 28 South Bridge deck and piers began, which was followed by removal of the two bridge abutments. Demolition of the old Route 28 South Bridge was completed by mid-December 2021. Learn more.

New Braddock Road/Walney Road Overpass Now Open with Direct Access from I-66 West and Route 28 North via New Ramps

The new Braddock Road/Walney Road overpass over Route 28 opened in November 2020, reconnecting Braddock Road and Walney Road and allowing limited access to and from Route 28 and I-66. Additional traffic pattern changes were added during 2021 to allow additional movements and connections. Express Lanes access has also been added.

Traveling on the Braddock Road/Walney Road overpass:

From Braddock Road on the west side, drivers can access Route 28 South and I-66 West. Eastbound thru-travel to Walney Road became available in September 2021.
From Walney Road on the east side, drivers can travel westbound across the overpass to reach Braddock Road, Route 28 South, and I-66 West.
There is no access to Route 28 North. Drivers should use the Westfields Boulevard Interchange.
The bridge is not yet open to pedestrians. The new Poplar Tree Road Bridge has a shared-use path that crosses Route 28.

Accessing the Braddock Road/Walney Road overpass:

From Route 28 North, access the new overpass by exiting to the left after crossing over I-66.
From I-66 West, access the new overpass by exiting toward Route 28 North, then stay to the left to use a new ramp to Braddock Road/Walney Road (opened in December 2020). At the top of the ramp, drivers can turn left onto Braddock Road to travel west, or turn right to head east onto Walney Road.
From I-66 East, exit to Route 28 North, then stay left and follow signs to the left exit to Braddock Road/Walney Road.
Access from I-66 West to Route 28 North remains unchanged.
There is no access from Route 28 South. Drivers should use the Westfields Boulevard Interchange.

Construction Update (Updated March 23, 2023)

Recent Construction Progress:

The exit from I-66 West to Route 28 North and Braddock Road/Walney Road has been relocated approximately one-half mile prior to (east of) the old exit
Route 28 North traffic has shifted to a new bridge over I-66
Route 28 South shifted to a new bridge over I-66 in October 2021. The new alignment for Route 28 South is slightly west of the existing southbound crossing over I-66. This shift allowed demolition of the remainder of the old Route 28 South Bridge and construction of new bridge deck and ramp connections
Demolition of the old Route 28 South Bridge was completed in December 2021

Project progress at Route 28. (December 5, 2022)

Aerial view of the Route 28 area. (December 20, 2022)

What Neighbors Can Expect

Overnight construction activities such as bridge demolition and pile driving will be avoided when possible. However, back-up alarms on equipment and trucks, which are necessary for the safety of construction crews, cannot be avoided at any time.
Lighting of the construction area during the nighttime hours will be directed to minimize light pollution for nearby residents.
Detours will be in place for extended periods of time to allow for construction.
Small-charge dynamite operations continue around the interchange to break up underground rock. Blasting activities generally occur between 11 a.m. and noon, are closely coordinated with safety regulators, and utilize seismic monitoring. Pre-blast structural surveys have been offered for nearby buildings. Contact FAM Construction for more information on these surveys.
Every effort will be made to communicate major traffic switches or nighttime work through project emails and the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway website.

What Drivers Can Expect

Construction-related detours will be in place periodically.
New traffic patterns will be implemented as construction progresses.
Drivers should slow down, stay focused, and be alert for construction crews.
Drivers should expect additional changes as work advances at the interchange. Sign up for project email updates to keep up-to-date.
Traffic stoppages will happen regularly around the interchange between 11 a.m. and noon to accommodate underground blasting.

Timeline

Anticipated Schedule	Dates
Clearing activities begin	Fall 2018
Bridge and retaining wall construction begin	Spring 2019
Walney Road closure between Rt. 28 and Cabells Mill Dr.	May 2019 to November 2020
E.C. Lawrence Park access road opens	November 13, 2019
Walney Road-Braddock Road connector bridge opens	November 25, 2020
Poplar Tree Road Bridge over Route 28 opens	November 21, 2020
Remaining traffic signals removed between Westfields Blvd. and Rt. 29	November 9, 2020
All traffic movements between Braddock Road/Walney Road connector bridge and Route 28 and I-66 general purpose lanes open	September 2021
Express Lanes opened	November 2022