Richmond, VA – Initiated in 2019, the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project aimed to bolster safety, alleviate congestion, and enhance mobility for all users. The project’s scope included widening Route 7 from four to six lanes between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive, ensuring a continuous six-lane stretch from Leesburg to Tysons, spanning approximately 20 miles.
Last month, the new eastbound and westbound lanes covering about five miles of Route 7, stretching from Riva Ridge Drive to Jarrett Valley Drive, were opened to traffic—an achievement three months ahead of schedule. Additionally, the third eastbound and westbound lanes for nearly two miles of Route 7, between Reston Avenue and Riva Ridge Drive, were made accessible to traffic in 2022.
In addition to lane expansions, the project featured the construction of shared-use paths on both sides of the entire seven-mile corridor between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive. These paths seamlessly connect with existing routes on Route 7, facilitating direct bicyclist and pedestrian access from the Fairfax County Parkway Trail to Tysons. Furthermore, the project facilitated a new route for Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail users with a pedestrian underpass beneath the rebuilt Difficult Run bridge, ensuring safe crossing of Route 7.
The successful completion of the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project signifies a significant advancement in transportation infrastructure, benefiting motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and the community at large.
