Issue 30 | December 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 November, crews continued construction activities along the corridor:


Area 1 West: Reston Avenue to Baron Cameron Avenue:
  • Started drilling for noise barrier foundations west of Reston Parkway along eastbound Route 7. 
  • Paving for the shared-use path along westbound Route 7 was completed between Utterback Store Road and Reston Parkway, and paving of the shared-use path along eastbound Route 7 between Markell Court and Crippen Vale Court began. The shared-use paths will remain closed until later in the project due to ongoing construction activities in these areas. 
  • Storm sewer installation west of Baron Cameron Avenue continued.

Area 1 East: Baron Cameron Avenue to Carpers Farm Way:
  • Continued noise barrier post and panel installation along eastbound Route 7 between Delta Glen Court and Colvin Forest Drive.
  • Started installing posts for the combination noise barrier/retaining wall along westbound Route 7 between Colvin Run Road (east) and Colvin Run Road (west).
  • Storm sewer installation between Baron Cameron Avenue and Colvin Forest Drive continued.


  • Continued earth-moving activities at the intersection of Route 7 and Baron Cameron Avenue.


  • Continued construction of the retaining wall between eastbound Route 7 and the Colvin Run stream channel.
  • Construction of foundations for the piers and western abutment of the eastbound Route 7 bridge over Difficult Run continued.


  • Continued drilling for noise barrier foundations along westbound Route 7 west of Towlston Road, and for the retaining wall at the intersection of westbound Route 7 and Towlston Road.
  • Completed Stage 2A storm sewer installation, performed grading, and placed cement treated aggregate along westbound Route 7 between Towlston Road and Trap Road.
  • Performed grading, placed cement-treated aggregate and base asphalt, and completed curb construction along westbound Route 7 between Lyons Street and Towlston Road.  
  • Continued paving and curb placement along westbound Route 7 between Towlston Road and Lewinsville Road. 
  • Completed the jack and bore storm sewer pipe crossing underneath Route 7 between Lewinsville Road and Laurel Hill Road.

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.
Reconstruction of the Route 7/Lewinsville Road intersection is underway.
The Route 7 team assembles rebar cages for the Difficult Run bridge foundations.
In Case You Missed It
In December, the right-turn lane from westbound Route 7 to northbound Towlston Road was lengthened from 55 feet to 290 feet. The taper will also be lengthened as the construction progresses. The increase in length is intended to move vehicles more efficiently through the Route 7/Towlston Road intersection.

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

As a reminder, please refrain from walking through work areas with equipment, materials and ongoing construction activities, including the newly-paved shared-use paths along Route 7. If you have questions regarding work areas, please contact us at connectroute7@vdot.virginia.gov 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, jhicks@washgas.com.
Thanks for Giving Our Crews S P A C E

If you have questions or concerns about the construction, please give our crews 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