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Soapstone Connector

Project News and Updates

(January 2024) The FHWA has determined that the selected alternative will have no significant impact on the human environment. This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is based on the Environmental Assessment, which has been independently evaluated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the need, environmental issues, and impacts of the proposed project and appropriate mitigation measures. As this will be a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) managed project, FCDOT will provide further information when it becomes available. 

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Materials:

Background

Soapstone Area Map
Click image to enlarge
The Soapstone Connector Project (No. 2G40-078) aims to provide a direct connection between Sunset Hills Road and Sunrise Valley Drive crossing over the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267), as recommended by the Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG). The project is also included in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (2017 Edition, Area III, Reston Plan, Wiehle-Reston East Transit Station Area, Amended through 7-31-2018) to achieve the vision for Reston and enhance connectivity through the Wiehle-Reston East Transit Station Area by creating multiple and enhanced connections.

The proposed Soapstone Connector alignment is a combination of two previously evaluated alternatives and was chosen due to its advantages over the numerous alternatives studied. These advantages include benefits to multi-modal users, connectivity to Soapstone Drive, and minimization of impacts to environmentally-sensitive areas.

For the latest information on the Soapstone Connector project, visit the VDOT project page. 

Community Meeting Held Oct. 10, 2024

VDOT held a public meeting on the Soapstone Connector on Oct. 10, at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston. For more information visit the VDOT project page.

Virtual Public Meeting Held July 18; Soapstone Project Area
Comments Closed Aug. 1, 2022 

FCDOT held a virtual public information meeting to present the Revised Environmental Assessment on the Soapstone Connector Project on Monday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. 

Comments were accepted at the meeting and through August 1, 2022. 

Revised Environmental Assessment

The Revised Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Soapstone Connector was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for public availability on May 4, 2022. The Revised EA documents changes to the project or its impacts since completion of the EA in August 2017. Of note, new attachments include:

  • A Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation that was completed in accordance with Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act of 1966 as a result of the designation of a new historic district in the project area (Association Drive Historic District); and
  • A Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that has been prepared in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to resolve the project’s averse effects on the Association Drive Historic District.

Public Meeting on Supplemental Phase I Architectural Survey Held July 2018
Soapstone Architechural Survey Map
Click image to enlarge


As requested by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), and in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has completed a Supplemental Phase I Architectural Survey of the southern area of the project, including ten parcels on Association Drive, south of the Dulles Road. The survey was conducted to record the buildings in the office park and to make a preliminary recommendation regarding the eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A public meeting was held on July 19 with the following information presented:  

The public was invited to submit comments focused on the following questions:

  1. Do you support the study that states that the building and/or sites on Association Drive may be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places? Or do you support the study that indicates that the site(s) are NOT eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places?
  2. Do you have any other comments relative to the eligibility of the building and/or office park along Association Drive for listing on the National Register of Historic Places?

Soapstone Connector Environmental Assessment Public Hearing - Nov. 8, 2017

Soapstone Connector Public Information Meeting for Environmental Assessment - June 15, 2016:

Soapstone Connector Public Information Meeting for Environmental Assessment - Oct. 26, 2015:

FCDOT ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need this information in an alternate format or would like to request reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact FCDOT at 703-877-5600, TTY 711. Requests for assistance must be received at least 7 business days in advance of an event.

In 2012, Fairfax County Department of Transportation sponsored an engineering feasibility study to determine the feasibility of the Soapstone Connector. A consultant was engaged to conduct this study to:

  • Determine the engineering feasibility of multi-modal roadway that would provide a connection for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, and transit vehicles between Sunset Hills Road and Sunrise Valley Drive.
  • Identify the most feasible alignment for the Soapstone Connector for the most beneficial multi-modal access.

Based on the findings of the feasibility study, the Soapstone Drive and Sunrise Valley Drive intersection will serve as the southern end of the Soapstone Connector, while the northern end will connect to Sunset Hills Road. The connector will also create a new roadway and bridge that will traverse across the Dulles Toll Road and the future Silver Line Metrorail track.

The typical section of the roadway will include:

  • Three (3) travel lanes (one lane in each direction and a center left-turn only lane).
  • One (1) bike lane in each direction.
  • A sidewalk on one side of the roadway and a shared use path on the other side of the roadway.

The typical section of the bridge will include:

  • Two (2) travel lanes (one lane in each direction).
  • One (1) bike lane in each direction.
  • A sidewalk on one side of the roadway and a shared use path on the other side of the roadway.

There also will be four (4) planned access points throughout the length of the roadway.

  • Points North of the Dulles Toll Road include the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and the Soapstone Connector, and an at-grade intersection south of Sunset Hills Road.
  • Points South of the Dulles Toll Road include an intersection north of Sunrise Valley Drive and the Soapstone Connector, and the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Soapstone Drive.

Some generalized environmental data was also collected in conjunction with the Soapstone Connector Feasibility Study. Some preliminary issues involved wetlands, stream impacts, business displacements and relocations, noise impacts, and cumulative and indirect impacts. A copy of that study is available for review:


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