Issue 9 | February 2020
Along about seven miles of Route 7, we're adding a third lane and shared-use paths in each direction, building a pedestrian underpass to access Colvin Run Mill Park , replacing and raising the bridge over Difficult Run, and making many intersection, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Learn more.
Construction and Design Updates
In January, crews continued construction activities along the corridor, including:

  • Preparatory work for utility relocations in the Difficult Run/Colvin Run area within VDOT right of way, including installation of silt and safety fence.
  • Placing roadway fill between Reston Avenue and Utterback Store Road.
  • Earth-moving operations between Utterback Store Road and Bishopsgate Way.
  • Removing topsoil between Baron Cameron Avenue and Faulkner Drive.
  • Installing storm sewer between Reston Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue, including tunneling under Route 7 just west of Bishopsgate Way.
  • Completion of shoulder-strengthening along eastbound Route 7 between Lewinsville Road and Jarrett Valley Drive.

Design work continues for lighting and landscaping and the electrical and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Third-party utility design is also ongoing.

Potential Noise Barrier Public Input Survey Questionnaires were sent to benefited parcel owners and tenants along the corridor via certified mail at the end of January. As a reminder to those who received letters about the noise walls, votes are due back to the project team by March 2, 2020. Click here to learn more about the noise wall process.
Crews assemble the launching pit for a tunneling operation under Route 7.

Test-pitting by hand identifies the specific location of underground utilities prior to work.
Click here to learn more on the design and construction schedule, environmental efforts, right of way and other project details.
What's Happening at Difficult Run and Colvin Run?

As part of the improvements along Route 7, a longer, wider bridge will replace the current bridge over Difficult Run and Colvin Run will be relocated just south of its current location to accommodate the improvements. Preliminary work has begun in the Difficult Run and Colvin Run areas and will continue until project completion. In January, silt and safety fences were installed in this area in preparation for utility relocation work that is scheduled to start in February.

Mobilization for additional work will begin in April 2020 while crews clear brush and trees and establish construction access to facilitate the temporary relocation of Colvin Run, scheduled to begin in May 2020.  
Along Carpers Farm Way, crews will start construction of the box culvert that carries Colvin Run under the road in May 2020. Utility relocations on Carpers Farm Way will also begin in May. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Carpers Farm Way during this work.

Please see the project web site for more information on work in this area.


Did You Know?
You can check out photos, project progress and lane closures planned at connectroute7.org . Click N ews & Updates.

Lane closures for the following week are posted each Friday.
Sign Up for Traffic Alerts on Virginia 511
Don't forget you can get the latest on work zones, accidents and other incidents by visiting 511virginia.org, using the Virginia 511 app, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. Visit the site or app to create and configure your account for alerts.

You can also check out updates for major incidents @511northernvirginia on Twitter.
Questions?
Call: 833-777-7411