Under Construction

What's Being Done

VDOT is widening two miles of I-66, from the Route 234 Bypass to Route 29 in Gainesville. Two lanes are being added in each direction, one regular and one HOV lane. The inside lane is reserved for two-person carpools during peak periods. The median will be preserved to accommodate future barrier-separated HOV lanes or transit. The project is scheduled to be completed in August 2010.

Status Report and Photos
 January 28, 2010

Weekly Lane Closures
 February 1-5, 2010

Features

Ramps for I-66 and Route 29 will be modified and rebuilt, four new bridges will be constructed, and the decks and girders will be replaced on two existing bridges. VDOT will also construct retaining walls, install new water and sewer pipes, overhead message boards, and lighting.

Impact on Traffic

Most of the widening will take place behind barriers, and two interstate lanes will be maintained during rush hours. VDOT will inform motorists of traffic impacts during construction through 511, message signs, media and this Web page.

I-66 carries 57,000 vehicles per day between Routes 15 and 29. VDOT projects nearly 100,000 vehicles a day will travel this section of interstate by 2028. I-66 carries 87,000 vehicles a day between Route 29 and the Route 234 Bypass. The number of vehicles is expected to exceed 175,000 by 2028.

Air Quality Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) Analysis

Project Updates

Phase 1
The first phase of construction is broken into three stages:

Stage 1:
The inside shoulder on I-66 will be strengthened to allow the current two lane traffic configuration to be shifted towards the center. This shift will allow space to install concrete traffic barrier on the right edge of the right lane throughout the project. The majority of the permanent construction primarily involving the building of the two extra lanes on the outside and the construction of the associated ramps will be behind barrier with minimal interference with the through traffic.
Plans for Stage 1

Stage 2:
Then, the new ramps from Route 29 North to 66 East, Route 29/Heritage Hunt intersection to I-66 West, I-66 West off ramp to Route 29 South and I-66 East off ramp to Route 29 South will be constructed as well as the continuation of the I-66 mainline widening on the outside.
Plans for Stage 2

Stage 3:
The newly constructed ramps will be opened and all traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed outside lanes. This construction will also be carried out behind concrete barrier that will have be moved and replaced during the traffic shift.
Plans for Stage 3

Phase 2
During this phase of construction, the interstate will be widened and reconstructed on the inside (median side) as well as all the related ramp tie-ins.

Phase 3
During this phase, the concrete barrier will be removed and the interstate paved and striped for the final roadway configuration.

Contacts