For Immediate Release
Nov. 1, 2023
The Route 28 Widening Project reaches a significant milestone as the substantial completion is celebrated, marking a pivotal moment for Fairfax County and its neighboring communities. Despite the ongoing construction activities, crucial segments of the project are already open to traffic, contributing to improved accessibility and safety for commuters. While continuing efforts are directed towards pending construction items, such as completing construction of noise barriers, storm water management facilities, shared-use paths and improvements on a few side streets, the project continues to demonstrate its potential in significantly enhancing regional transportation infrastructure.
The project also enhances travel reliability, facilitating more efficient commutes to major commercial and employment centers, including Dulles Airport, businesses in the Reston, Herndon, and Dulles Corridors, and Tysons. NVTA has invested $26 million in this Route 28 widening project and a total of $350 million in the Route 28 Corridor, aligning with its commitment to regionally significant, multimodal transportation solutions, and providing secure access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Today, Chairman Jeff McKay extended his sincere appreciation to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for their unwavering support and $26 million investment in regional funding. This project, with a total cost exceeding $79.5 million, has drawn from diverse funding sources, including Smart Scale funds, local contributions, State Revenue Sharing Funds, and Federal demonstration funds.
Supervisor Kathy Smith, representing Sully District in Fairfax County, emphasized the project's distinctive features. These include widening the existing four-lane roadway to six lanes, with provisions for future expansion to eight lanes, as anticipated by traffic studies. The project encompasses additional lanes on side streets to enhance intersections, upgraded traffic signals, improvements in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and the installation of Stormwater management facilities. Following extensive community outreach, noise barrier walls are being constructed at select locations to enhance the quality of life for nearby communities.
Supervisor Pat Herrity added insights into two intriguing aspects of the project, emphasizing the adoption of a design-build approach which allowed construction to commence while finalizing design plans, and prior to completion of right of way acquisitions and relocation of utilities. The Design Build method expedited the project delivery. Prior to design completion, Traffic studies were conducted to accommodate future needs, and the project was designed to allow for potential expansion to eight lanes.
Monica Blackmon, NVTA CEO, expressed her enthusiasm in celebrating the project's success and its profound impact on the region. Route 28 holds the status of a Corridor of Statewide Significance, and this project represents a coordinated effort to reduce congestion on this high-volume thoroughfare. Extending from the Prince William County Line to Route 29, the Route 28 Widening project benefits the Counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, as well as the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Today's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony stands as a testament to the transformative potential of transportation infrastructure. It signifies the dawn of a new era in Fairfax County and its neighboring communities, promising enhanced mobility, reduced congestion, and an improved quality of life for all.
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