VDOT News - Northern Virginia

FAIRFAX – Work on a new ramp connection providing direct access from I-66 East to the West Falls Church/VT-UVA Metrorail Station using Exit 66 for Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) is planned to begin on or about Monday, May 4. The project will connect two existing ramps and is expected to open in late 2020.

 “This direct access will save time for motorists on I-66 East who are headed to the West Falls Church Metrorail station and reduce traffic on Route 7,” said Mark Gibney, P.E., VDOT Design-Build Project Manager.

Currently, vehicles exit from I-66 East, turn right to head east on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike), turn left at Haycock Road, and then turn left onto Falls Church Drive. When the project is complete, drivers will exit I-66 East for Route 7, stay left to connect to the ramp from Route 7 East to I-66 East, then stay right to reach Falls Church Drive and the West Falls Church Metrorail station. 

All improvements will be performed within existing VDOT right-of-way. Construction activities will begin with shoulder strengthening on the left side of I-66 East approaching the Route 7 interchange and along the left side of the Route 7 East ramp to I-66 East so traffic can be shifted to the left. The two existing ramps will remain open during construction, although traffic shifts and occasional overnight traffic stoppages will be required. Construction will occur during daytime and nighttime hours. Find additional information on the project webpage.

The I-66 Eastbound Direct Access Project will connect two existing ramps
to provide faster access to the West Falls Church Metrorail Station.

This work is part of the I-66 Eastbound Widening Project, which is adding a travel lane along four miles of eastbound I-66 between the Dulles Connector Road and Exit 71 (Glebe Road/Fairfax Drive). The project is also installing approximately 12,000 linear feet of new and replacement noise barriers and build a new bridge over Lee Highway (Route 29) for the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail.

The additional eastbound lane and trail bridge are scheduled to open to traffic in fall 2020.  Additionally, noise wall construction is expected to be complete by fall 2020.  Learn more about the I-66 Eastbound Widening Project, and sign up for project updates and lane closure alerts at Transform66.org.

Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova

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Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.