[EDITOR’S NOTE: VIDEO LINKS PROVIDED]
FAIRFAX – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) today announced the completion of key improvements at the Route 28 and I-66 interchange, including the removal of four traffic signals along Route 28 between Westfields Boulevard and Route 29 in Centreville, as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project.
This improvement, which will provide smoother and more reliable travel for drivers traveling north and southbound on Route 28, was completed as an early project milestone by the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway concessionaire, I-66 Express Mobility Partners, and its design-build subcontractor FAM Construction LLC. These milestone achievements will provide congestion relief to motorists on Route 28 north and south of the I-66 interchange while construction continues on the remainder of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project.
Other Route 28 improvements that have opened as early project milestones include relocating the entrance to E.C. Lawrence Park from Route 28 to a new access road from Stonecroft Boulevard in November 2019, and completing a new shared-use path along the park access road in June 2020. A new overpass reconnecting Braddock and Walney Roads opened in November 2020, providing direct access to and from I-66, as well as to Route 28 to and from the south. In addition, the new Poplar Tree Road extension over Route 28 opened in late November 2020.
“The Commonwealth’s innovative collaboration with public and private partners is delivering critical projects along our most congested corridors,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “With a focus on increased travel reliability, expanded access, and improved safety along Route 28, these investments serve as a catalyst for economic opportunity and greater quality of life.”
“VDOT and its I-66 project partners are pleased to deliver on our commitment to provide relief to drivers traveling through the busy Route 28 and I-66 Interchange,” commented VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “Multiple improvements to the Route 28 corridor have been completed as early milestones of the overall I-66 Express Lanes project, and are integral to improving travel and safety for travelers who rely on this busy roadway.”
“The recent removal of the last signal on the Route 28 corridor represents a milestone in providing smoother and safer travel for drivers, and concludes a years-long effort to make Route 28 ‘signal free’ from Route 7 in Loudoun County all the way to the Route 29 interchange in Fairfax County,” added VDOT’s Director of Megaprojects, Susan Shaw. “These efforts have been made possible through private partners, and regional funding support, starting with VDOT’s partnership with the Route 28 Tax District, funding support from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and extending to our partnership with I-66 Express Mobility Partners. It’s exciting to see the overall reconstruction of the Route 28 interchange take shape, and to see improvements put into place that will improve travel for drivers who use the busy Route 28 corridor,” continued Shaw.
“Solving traffic congestion is what we do,” commented Javier Gutierrez, chief executive officer of I-66 Express Mobility Partners, “and when we began our partnership with VDOT we knew that providing relief to Route 28 drivers was a top priority as a key early project milestone. We are pleased to help solve this perennial bottleneck for drivers on Route 28 while we continue our work on the entire I-66 Outside the Beltway project.”
While these improvements have come online to benefit motorists, work is continuing on the Route 28 and I-66 interchange. This ongoing work includes the ramps in the interchange for access to and from the future Express Lanes, and on noise walls.
About the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project
The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project will provide new travel choices and congestion relief across a 22.5-mile stretch of I-66 from I-495 to near Route 29 in Gainesville. Improvements include new express lanes, more than 4,000 new park-and-ride spaces with convenient access to the express lanes, new and improved bus service and transit routes, interchange improvements, and 11 miles of new bike and pedestrian trails. Construction got underway in late 2017. The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project is a public-private partnership between VDOT, the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and private partner I-66 Express Mobility Partners. Project construction is being led by design-build contractor FAM Construction, LLC, a partnership between Ferrovial Construction and Allan Myers, VA.
To view a video rendering of the entire Transform 66 Outside the Beltway project and for more information about the project or to sign up for construction and traffic alerts, visit Transform66.org.
VIDEO LINKS:

Susan Shaw
VDOT Megaprojects Director –Susan Shaw VDOT Mega Projects Director Route 28 corridor milestone – YouTube

Javier Gutierrez
CEO, I-66 Express Mobility Partners- Javier Gutierrez CEO I 66 Express Mobility Partners Route 28 corridor milestone – YouTube

3-D Rendering
Route 28 Interchange (when complete) – Future Route 28 Corridor I 66 Outside the Beltway – YouTube