Route 50 Interchange

The Route 50 Interchange is being rebuilt and improved as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. The new interchange design will:

Add Express Lanes access to and from the east
Construct new Route 50 bridges over I-66 to improve traffic flow and create room for future mass transit
Add noise wall along the ramp from I-66 West to Route 50 West
Build a shared-use path through the interchange connecting Random Hills Park and Fairfax Corner with Fairfax Farms Road and points to the east

Get a closer look with the Transform 66 Interactive Map.

Route 50 Express Lanes Access

A ramp from eastbound Route 50 to the eastbound 66 Express Lanes.
A ramp from the westbound 66 Express Lanes to westbound Route 50.

Drivers will continue to have full access between Route 50 and the I-66 general-purpose lanes to and from the east and west.

Route 50 66 Express Lanes Access Ramp from eastbound Route 50 to the eastbound 66 Express Lanes

Ramp from the westbound 66 Express Lanes to westbound Route 50

New Route 50 Bridges Open

Route 50 has been shifted to new bridges carrying eastbound and westbound traffic over I-66. Work continues with upcoming operations to straighten Route 50 East approaching the bridge.

A shared-use path that will run between the northeast quadrant of the interchange (near Fairfax Farms Road) and the southwest quadrant (near Random Hills Park) using four short tunnels and sidewalk is also being constructed along Route 50 East.

New Combined Exit from I-66 East to Route 50 East and West Open

Drivers exiting I-66 East to Route 50 West began using a new combined exit approximately one mile prior to (west of) Route 50 the morning of August 30. The new exit location is immediately before the Monument Drive Bridge over I-66 and provides access to Route 50 East and West. This will be the permanent location of Exit 57 A/B.

Construction Update (Updated March 23, 2023)

Recent Construction Progress:

Ramps have been built from Route 50 East to the eastbound Express Lanes and from the westbound Express Lanes to Route 50 West.
New Route 50 West bridge opened June 27, 2021
New Route 50 East bridge opened July 17, 2021
Temporary ramp from Route 50 West to I-66 West opened
Box culverts built for future shared-use path through interchange

Upcoming Construction Activities:

Construction of replacement and new noise walls
Construction of shared-use path through interchange

Express Lanes ramps progress at Route 50 interchange. (December 5, 2022)

Aerial view of the Route 50 area

Aerial view of the Route 50 area. (December 20, 2022)

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

What Drivers Can Expect

Drivers should expect traffic shifts and temporary ramp closures as work progresses at the interchange. Sign up for project email updates to keep up to date.

Random Hills Park

Utility relocation near the Route 50 Interchange will require a 0.01-acre permanent utility easement on Random Hills Park. As required by federal regulation, VDOT is accepting public comment regarding the Fairfax County Park Authority’s preliminary concurrence with the Federal Highway Administration’s Section 4(f) applicability criteria for de minimis impact for this easement.

View the public notice and additional information using these links.

Timeline

Anticipated Schedule	Dates
Ramp and bridge work begins	Fall 2019
Various traffic shifts and temporary ramp closures for construction and demolition	2019 through 2022
New Route 50 bridges open to traffic	Late June/July 2021
Demolition of old bridges	Summer 2021
Express Lanes opened	November 2022