Illustration from VDOT.
FABB’s February monthly meeting featured an update on the I-66 Outside the Beltway project by Susan Shaw, the Virginia Department of Transportation Northern Virginia Megaprojects Director. The presentation included updated designs for the I-66 multipurpose trail that is planned to run from Dunn Loring to just east of Bull Run Regional Park. Funding for the entire trail appears to be set, and this includes portions that go through park land (handled by the Fairfax County Park Authority) and off-corridor parts where the trail physically cannot be placed next to I-66 (being built by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation).
The plans increasingly have been modified to have the trail built, where topography allows, either above or below the roadway. Lighting is planned for underpasses but not for other parts of the trail. Where the 8- to 10-foot wide path has to run at-grade along the highway, plans now call for it to be separated by a 50-inch concrete barrier (mostly between the Dunn Loring and Vienna Metro stations) or to run outside the sound barrier. VDOT compromises with local homeowners over right of way issues limited the areas where the path would be protected by the sound barrier.
VDOT will be responsible for maintaining the trail and new pedestrian and bicycle traffic counters when the trail is scheduled to open in December 2022. Check out our Advocacy page to keep up with the latest information and find out how you can help.
