Traffic Alert: Westbound Route 7 Traffic Shifts and Detours for Difficult Run Bridge Work

Aug. 10, 2022

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 other intersection, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Learn more.

Westbound Route 7 Traffic Shift to New Difficult Run Bridge

Two-stage operation begins Aug. 11. Westbound lanes will shift overnight on Aug. 15

During the daytime hours on Aug. 11 and the overnight hours on Aug. 15, lane closures and temporary detours will be in place along Route 7 while crews continue paving operations at Carpers Farm Way and Colvin Run Road (east) and shift westbound Route 7 traffic to the new Difficult Run bridge. The work will allow crews to remove the remainder of the old bridge and build the new westbound Route 7 bridge over Difficult Run.

All residences, businesses and other public facilities will remain accessible. Please see details below.

Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Single lane closures will be in place on Route 7. The median at the intersection of Route 7 and Carpers Farm Way/Colvin Run Road (east) will be temporarily closed to traffic. All left turns will be prohibited at this intersection during this time.
Drivers on Carpers Farm Way to westbound Route 7 and Colvin Run Road (east) will use eastbound Route 7 and U-turn at Forestville Drive.

Drivers on Colvin Run Road (east) will use westbound Route 7 and U-turn at Delta Glen Court to access eastbound Route 7 and Carpers Farm Way.
Drivers on westbound Route 7 to Carpers Farm Way will proceed to Delta Glen Court and U-turn to eastbound Route 7 to access Carpers Farm Way.

Aug. 15, 10 p.m. - Aug. 16, 5 a.m.

Single lane closures will be in place on Route 7 in the Difficult Run area and the detours described above will be in place during the overnight hours.
Westbound Route 7 traffic will shift to the south while crews move the westbound lanes to the new Difficult Run bridge.
Faulkner Drive will close at Route 7 until mid-2023. Drivers will use Locust Hill Drive, Trotting Horse Lane, Fairpine Lane, and Forestville Drive to access Route 7.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change.

For information on intersection movements at the completion of construction along Route 7, please see the interactive map on the project website.

Please note crews are only working within the VDOT right of way and where rights have been acquired from property owners (read more ).

As a reminder, the Route 7 speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles per hour in active work zones between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive, and Virginia law prohibits the use of handheld cell phones while driving through an active work zone.

Please use caution and be alert to work zone signs, potential flagger or police direction, and watch for traffic shifts. Slow-moving vehicles and equipment may be entering or exiting the road.

Questions?

Visit: http://connectroute7.org

Email: connectroute7@vdot.virginia.gov

Call: 833-777-7411

Did You Know?

You can get project updates weekly! Visit the Route 7 website for the latest on work progress and lane closures.

Get alerts about work zones, accidents and other incidents via web, phone, text message or email. Visit 511virginia.org to create and configure your account.

Expected lane closures and other traffic pattern changes associated with the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project are also posted each week at connectroute7.org.

For the latest info on travel conditions and work zones, call 511 from any phone in Virginia, visit 511virginia.org or download the Virginia 511 app.