Construction at the intersection of Route 50 and Waples Mill Road, in Fairfax County, is “substantially complete” two months ahead of schedule, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.
The idea for the safety and traffic flow improvements was first broached in 2019; work on the intersection began last October, the department said in a statement.
The project cost $2.9 million, and was funded in part by a concession fee provided through the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. Transportation projects outside of the I-66 Express Lanes are funded with concession fees.
One of the two main improvements is a second left-turn lane from westbound Route 50 to southbound Waples Mill Road. This means all four sides of the intersection have two left-turn lanes.
The other main addition to the intersection is a bicyclist/pedestrian crossing and refuge island along the west side of the intersection across Route 50.
The department said “minor work,” which will result in “minimal impacts,” will be done over the next few weeks. It anticipates completion this summer.
Route 50 averages 48,000 vehicles a day at that intersection; Waples Mill Road, about 25,000, the department said.
Featured image courtesy VDOT
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