Issue 21 | February 2021
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:


Area 1 West: Reston Avenue to Baron Cameron Avenue:

  • Continued noise barrier construction between Reston Avenue and Utterback Store Road.
  • Storm sewer installation continued between Reston Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue.
  • Completed the north extension of the Piney Run box culvert.

Area 1 East: Baron Cameron Avenue to Carpers Farm Way:

  • Removed existing asphalt between Baron Cameron Avenue and Colvin Run Road (east end).
  • Shifted Carpers Farm Way traffic to the north in preparation for the installation of the new Colvin Run box culvert on the east side of Carpers Farm Way.


  • Stage 2 construction pending right-of-way acquisition.


  • Commenced the installation of the articulated block lining in the new Colvin Run channel.
  • Continued earth-moving activities between Difficult Run and Faulkner Drive.
  • Began excavation for the pedestrian tunnel under Route 7. 


  • Continued the water main relocation between Beulah Road and Towlston Road.
  • Shifted traffic on eastbound Route 7 to the north between Lewinsville Road and Jarrett Valley Drive.

Design work continues for landscaping. Third-party utility design and relocation activities are also ongoing.  

Click here to learn more on the design and construction schedule, environmental efforts, right of way, noise walls and other project details.

Decorative dogwood panels are placed at the top of the noise barriers along the corridor.
Articulated block sections are placed in the new Colvin Run stream channel.
Upcoming Work
In the upcoming months, the crews will be working on several key elements of the improvements along Route 7:

  • Removal of the old eastbound Route 7 bridge over Difficult Run will commence. A higher, longer bridge will be constructed as part of the Route 7 project and will facilitate the flow of Difficult Run underneath the bridge.
  • Colvin Run will be diverted to the new stream channel between Carpers Farm Way and the Difficult Run bridge. Small weirs placed in a staggered pattern along the stream bed will encourage a meandering flow pattern and the growth of vegetation within the stream channel.
  • Crews will continue the construction of a new pedestrian tunnel underneath Route 7 that will connect the north and south sections of Colvin Run Mill Park and provide improved access to the park's resources.

Construction activities along Route 7 will be ongoing through the winter months, and additional traffic changes will occur. Please see the project website for information on upcoming lane shifts and other roadway impacts.

Work in the Colvin Run/Difficult Run area is ongoing, and public access to the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail will be maintained.
In Case You Missed It
As a reminder, please refrain from walking through work areas with equipment, materials and ongoing construction activities. If you have questions regarding work areas, please contact us at [email protected] or 833-777-7411.

Click here for the latest updates on the Washington Gas work that is ongoing along Route 7. For more information on the Washington Gas work, please contact Jeff Hicks, [email protected].
Thanks for Giving Our Crews S P A C E

Our crews are continuing to practice social distancing. If you have questions or concerns about the construction, please give them the space they need to work, and call or email us instead of approaching the work site.

833-777-7411

Need to Know More?
You can check out photos and project progress on our website at connectroute7.org. Click News & Updates.

Planned 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