Map of construction project districts

Under Construction

Route 50 Widening

From Route 28 in Fairfax to Poland Road in Loudoun

Area Maps

Project Photos

Project at a Glance

Begin Date
Spring 2011

Est Completion Date
Late 2014

Cost
Approximately
$99.9 million

Contractor
Shirley Contracting

Locality
Fairfax and Loudoun

Contact

Larry Tomlinson, P.E.
Area Construction Engineer
703-259-2304

Bill Atkins
Construction Manager
703-259-2939

About the Project

Route 50 is being widened from four to six lanes between Poland Road and Route 28 (about 3.7 miles). In addition, VDOT is also:

• Improving traffic signalization
• Improving turn lanes
• Providing a shared-use path on both sides of the road
• Providing crosswalks with curb ramps and pedestrian signals
• Widening and upgrading bridges

Route 50 narrows from six lanes to four just west of Route 28. Increased development and congestion in Loudoun County in recent years now leads to backups during much of the day on the existing four-lane segment, especially during morning and evening rush hours. 

This project aims to relieve current and anticipated congestion, to provide pedestrian and cyclist accommodations, and to improve safety along the corridor. The road will also be more level and provide wider buffers between travel lanes and roadside hazards.

The current project cost is estimated at about $99.9 million:

• $8.3 million for preliminary engineering
• $24.5 million for right of way acquisition
• $9.9 million for utility relocation
• $57.2 million for construction 

Traffic Impacts

Regular closures: Drivers can expect periodic traffic shifts, daytime lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in each direction, and some occasional overnight lane closures.

Route 50 closures at Lee Road April 26-27: From 8 p.m. Friday until noon Saturday (April 26-27) one or two lanes will be closed in each direction and traffic will periodically be stopped for up to 15 minutes at a time.

The ramp from southbound Route 28 to westbound Rt.50 will also be closed. Signs will direct motorists to use Willard Road to access westbound Rt.50. No left turns will be permitted onto Rt. 50 from Lee Road.

Message boards will alert drivers to use alternate routes.

Route 50 traffic shift: A new traffic pattern is in place on eastbound Route 50 between Tall Cedars Parkway and Pleasant Valley Road. Traffic has been shifted approximately 50 feet to the south through the interchange at Pleasant Valley Road. Drivers are asked to be aware of the new traffic pattern. The shift will not affect access to or from any side streets or entrances along Route 50.

Resources

Environmental document (Categorical Exclusion)
Presentation from "pardon our dust" meeting held in June 2012
Brochure, presentation, and summary of comments from the public hearing held in February 2009
Public hearing display boards 
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

VDOT Project No. 0050-96A-101, P101, R201, C501 
Federal Project No. STP-5401(571)

Bristol area projects Salem area projects Staunton area projects Lynchburg area projects Culpeper area projects Richmond area projects Northern Virginia projects Fredericksburg area projects Hampton Roads projects
Page last modified: April 23, 2013