As part of expanding multi-modal connections in the I-66 corridor, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its private partner, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), have worked closely with Fairfax and Prince William counties, bike advocacy groups, homeowners associations and local residents to incorporate new and improved trail facilities as part of the overall Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. This includes trails and connections on reconstructed roadways that cross I-66 and a shared-use path running along the I-66 corridor from Dunn Loring to Centreville.
VDOT developed the concept plan for the I-66 Trail consistent with local jurisdiction trail plans. 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. 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 concerned 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.
I-66 Trail Plans
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 (Lee Highway) in Centreville and Gallows Road, approximately three miles of trail will be adjacent to the interstate and approximately eight miles of trail will be behind the noise barrier or with no noise barrier. Much of the trail alongside I-66 will be higher or lower than the adjacent roadway.
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 has worked 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 Jermantown Road and Gallows Road
JERMANTOWN ROAD BRIDGE CROSS SECTION
GALLOWS ROAD BRIDGE CROSS SECTION
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 late 2024 and be complete in early 2026. Construction of interim improvements is planned to be complete in late 2022 to coincide with Transform 66 Project progress. 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 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 2025. 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 as part of the Transform 66 Project. A new noise wall will be constructed between the trail and I-66 West that will tie in to the existing noise wall that is being reconstructed.
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.
Sidewalk closures will alternate sides during construction of new bridge. Follow signs.
| Current Trail and Sidewalk Closures (Updated March 8, 2023) | ||
| LOCATION | DURATION | DESCRIPTION |
| Gallows Road over I-66 – Dunn Loring | Through summer 2023 | Sidewalk is open on the east side while the second portion of the new bridge is constructed. Follow signs. |
| Nutley Street over I-66 | Through spring 2023 | Sidewalk will be closed on the west side of Nutley Street between Virginia Center Boulevard/Marshall Road and Saintsbury Drive/Swanee Lane to allow construction of the new double roundabout on Nutley Street over I-66. Follow detour signs. |
| Vaden Drive over I-66 (also the W&OD/City of Fairfax Connector Trail) - Vienna | Through spring 2023 | Shared-use path is open on the east side. Sidewalk on the west side is planned to open in spring 2023. |
| Jermantown Road north of I-66 - Oakton | Through spring 2023 | Sidewalk on west side of the new bridge opened in July 2021 with temporary connections to existing sidewalks on the north and south. The second phase of bridge construction is underway, including sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and permanent connections on the west side. |
| Waples Mill Road over I-66 - Oakton | Through spring 2023 | Pedestrians should use the crossing on the west side of the bridge while phase two bridge construction progresses. Follow signs. |
| Monument Drive between I-66 and Government Center Parkway | Through spring 2023 | Shared-use path on east side of Monument Drive between I-66 and Government Center Parkway will be shifted to a temporary path between barriers. |
| Bobann Trail along I-66 East - Centreville | Through spring 2023 | Trail is closed for I-66 construction. Detours use Centreville Farms Road, Leland Road, and Pickwick Road. |
| University Boulevard over I-66 - Gainesville | Through spring 2023 | Sidewalk on east side is closed for construction of Express Lanes ramps. Separate path has been created along northbound University Boulevard. |
Resources
