Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station Area

The Transform 66 Project will bring several significant changes around the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metrorail Station that will improve access to the station for vehicles, commuter buses, cyclists, and pedestrians. Details include:

Rebuilding Vaden Drive Bridge (opened November 2020)
Adding Express Lanes access to and from the west at Vaden Drive
Shared-use path and other new facilities for cyclists and pedestrians
Intersection improvements at Saintsbury Drive and Nutley Street
Closure of the ramp from Saintsbury Drive to I-66 East

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

Vaden Drive Express Lanes Access

A new ramp from the eastbound 66 Express Lanes to Vaden Drive and the Vienna Metrorail parking facilities.
A new ramp from Vaden Drive to the westbound 66 Express Lanes.
Drivers can access the eastbound 66 Express Lanes at the Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road ) Interchange or by entering I-66 East at Nutley Street then using a flyover ramp located between Cedar Lane and Gallows Road.

Vaden Drive Express Lanes Access

I-66 West Travel Lanes at Nutley Street Shifted to New Roadway Configuration Until Early November

Travel lanes on I-66 West between Nutley Street and Vaden Drive were shifted to a new, long-term configuration during the early morning hours on July 6. The shift to the outer portion of westbound I-66 is necessary to build the future I-66 Express Lanes in the center area of the interstate. The two right travel lanes are now separated from the two left travel lanes by barrier. Drivers are directed by signs and message boards to stay to the right at the lane split to exit to the Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station (Country Creek Road and Virginia Center Boulevard). All travel lanes go through. This temporary traffic pattern will remain in place for approximately four months.

As part of the implementation of this traffic shift, the ramps from Virginia Center Boulevard to I-66 West and from I-66 West to Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station have reopened. These ramps had been temporarily closed to allow construction to advance. Additionally, the future Express Lanes ramp from Vaden Drive to I-66 West that was temporarily opened as a detour route for buses only is now closed.

I-66 West Lane Split at Nutley Street

Vaden Drive Bridge Reconstruction

The reconstructed Vaden Drive Bridge over I-66 opened to traffic in November 2020, reconnecting Saintsbury Drive with Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard near the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station. Ramps are being built for Express Lanes access to and from the west.

Vaden Drive Bridge reconstruction included a full-closure of the bridge from October 2019 to November 2020, which shortened the time needed to demolish and rebuild the bridge. This substantially reduced the number of months that commuters and project neighbors were impacted by construction.

The new, wider bridge includes a shared-use path on the east side (opened December 2020) and wider sidewalk on the west side (planned to open summer 2022).

Vienna Metro Area 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. Construction of this 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 is planned to begin in summer 2024. Learn more about this multi-agency project here.

Construction of interim improvements is planned to begin in fall 2022 to coincide with Transform 66 Project progress. Learn more about these improvements in this presentation.

Ramp from Virginia Center Boulevard to I-66 West to be Closed Through July 2022 for Continued Nutley Street Interchange Area Construction

The ramp from Virginia Center Boulevard East to I-66 West near the Vienna/Fairfax - GMU Metrorail Station closed May 18 and will remain closed for about six weeks for continued construction at the Nutley Street/I-66 Interchange. Drivers heading to I-66 West will be directed to continue to Nutley Street South to access I-66 West.

The future ramp from Vaden Drive to the westbound 66 Express Lanes will be open for buses only during this period to assist in maintaining their service schedules. No other vehicles will be allowed to use the ramp during this time.

All work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.

Virginia Center Blvd. Detour

Construction Update (Updated September 28, 2022)

Recent Construction Progress:

I-66 West traffic shifted to right side (outer portion) of roadway between Gallows Road and Nutley Street
All beams have been set for the Express Lanes ramps at Vaden Drive
Vaden Drive bridge opened to traffic November 2020
Shared-use path completed and opened on east side of Vaden Drive December 11, 2020
Vaden Drive entrances to parking garages rebuilt and reopened

Upcoming Construction Activities:

Building sidewalk on west side of Vaden Drive (Open in summer 2022)
Building ramps on west side of bridge to and from the Express Lanes (Construction 2021-2022)

Express Lanes ramps progress at Vaden Drive.

Express Lanes ramps progress at Vaden Drive. (August 12, 2022)

Aerial view of the Vaden Drive Bridge construction area

Aerial view of the Vaden Drive Bridge construction area. (August 12, 2022)

Minimizing Impacts to Neighbors

Some construction and demolition activities will generate noise or other impacts. When those activities occur, measures will be taken to minimize impacts as much as feasible.

During Demolition and Construction:

Lighting will be directed towards roadway to minimize light pollution for nearby residents
Dust control measures will be in place
Construction vibration and noise will be monitored

Timeline

Anticipated Schedule	Dates
Saintsbury Drive ramp closed permanently	September 5, 2019
Traffic shifts begin on I-66	Fall 2019
Vaden Drive Bridge over I-66 closed for reconstruction	October 18, 2019
Nutley Street Interchange construction impacts begin	Summer 2020
New Vaden Drive Bridge opened	November 24, 2020
Express Lanes open with ramps to/from Vaden Drive	December 2022