Construction Starts On Route 7, Battlefield Parkway Interchange

LEESBURG, VA — State and local partners broke ground today on a new interchange and other improvements to East Market Street (or Route 7) that will increase capacity, improve safety and traffic flow, and provide new options for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project includes replacing the traffic signal at East Market Street and Battlefield Parkway in Leesburg with a grade-separated interchange, removing the signal and modifying the intersection just west on Route 7 at Cardinal Park Drive, adding auxiliary lanes on eastbound Route 7 between the Leesburg Bypass and River Creek Parkway, and building a new shared-use path and sidewalk along Battlefield Parkway.

The improvements are expected to ease congestion between Leesburg and Route 28, a major thoroughfare for Loudoun County commuters, according to Phyllis Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

Helen Cuervo, district engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation, said close to 100,000 motorists travel through the intersection each day, and eliminating the traffic signals will mean a signal-free trip between Leesburg and Sterling.

“With our funding partners, we are excited to be delivering another project that improves travel for all users,” Cuervo said in a statement.

The $77.3 million project is financed by a mix of federal, state, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Loudoun County and Town of Leesburg funds.

During construction, drivers can expect off-peak lane closures along Route 7. Beginning in fall 2020, Battlefield Parkway will be closed between Russell Branch Parkway and the Marketplace at Potomac Station shopping center entrance for about ten months — traffic will be detoured via Fort Evans Road to the north, and Russell Branch Parkway and Crosstrail Boulevard to the south.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in fall 2021.

The public is invited to a "Pardon our Dust" meeting to learn more about the project, scheduled Oct. 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. at John W. Tolbert Jr. Elementary School, 691 Potomac Station Dr., Leesburg.