The Transform 66 Project added 18 miles of trail along and near I-66, providing new ways for people to travel in the corridor. Eleven miles of this shared-use path form the central part of the new 66 Parallel Trail in Fairfax County, running adjacent to I-66 from Dunn Loring to Centreville. The first sections of this trail opened in May 2023, with other trail sections continuing to open through October 2023.
In addition to the shared-use path along I-66, the project improved and built first-time connections across I-66 at many interchanges and overpasses including Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road), Jermantown Road, Route 50, and Route 28, as well as new grade-separated crossings for vehicles and pedestrians on Route 28 at Poplar Tree Road and Braddock Road/Walney Road.
The trail connection between the Route 50 interchange and Random Hills Road is expected to be completed in spring 2024, pending completion of the Fairfax County Park Authority trail project in Random Hills Park.
I-66 Trail Plans and Design
The shared-use path is 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 is reduced to eight feet with shoulders.
The project team coordinated with bike advocacy groups, homeowner associations, and local residents to develop and refine the design plans, which were presented at public hearings held in November 2017. 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. VDOT also received many comments with concerns about placement of the trail alongside the interstate, which led to design changes around the type of barrier that would be adjacent to the trail.
Between Route 29 in Centreville and Gallows Road, approximately three miles of trail is adjacent to the interstate and approximately eight miles of trail is behind the noise barrier or with no noise barrier. Much of the trail alongside I-66 is higher or lower than the adjacent roadway, providing additional separation from the travel lanes.
Access to the trail is provided about every half mile. The 66 project team worked with local agencies 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 map below). The as-built trail has some variations from the lines on the conceptual map.
The 66 Parallel Trail in Fairfax County incorporates and connects to parts of the county’s existing and planned trail network.
Conceptual Trail Plan in Fairfax County:
In coordination with Prince William County, a westward expansion of the trail, to be constructed by others, has been proposed on parallel roadways. Two segments of this proposed trail will be adjacent to the park and ride lots at University Boulevard and along Balls Ford Road which were constructed as part of the Transform 66 Project.
Conceptual Trail Plan in Prince William County:
Other Nearby Trail Projects
Additional nearby trail projects are part of building out the trail network along I-66. These other projects include:
Vienna Metrorail Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
VDOT and Fairfax County are working jointly to improve bicycle and pedestrian access in the area of the Vienna Metrorail Station. A series of improvements along Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard between Sutton Road and the ramp to westbound I-66, and along Sutton Road between Blake Lane and Country Creek Road are planned, with construction anticipated to begin in 2025 Construction of interim improvements including cycle track, bike lanes, and high visibility crosswalks opened in May 2023 to coincide with the opening of adjacent Transform 66 Project shared-use path sections. Learn more about these improvements in this presentation. Learn more about this multi-agency project here.
Post Forest Drive and Random Hills Road Shared-Use Paths
Existing sections of sidewalk along Post Forest Drive and Random Hills Road will be upgraded to 10-foot-wide shared-use paths. Crosswalks will be added, and curb ramps improved in this stretch located between Monument Drive and Route 608 (West Ox Road) on the south side of I-66 to benefit people making short trips in the neighborhood and longer trips along the I-66 Parallel Trail. Construction is planned to begin in 2027 Learn more here.
W&OD Trail Realignment at Idylwood Park
The Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD Trail) near Idylwood Park (between Virginia Lane and the trail bridge over I-495) in Falls Church has been permanently shifted to a new alignment in conjunction with noise wall construction as part of the Transform 66 Project.
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