Left Turn Lane Added At Busy McLean Intersection

MCLEAN, VA — A new left turn lane looks to help local drivers avoid traffic heading toward the Capital Beltway in McLean. The Virginia Department of Transportation announced the left turn lane from northbound Balls Hill Road to westbound Georgetown Pike.

The left turn lane allows drivers continuing north on Balls Road or turning right on Georgetown Pike to not be held up by traffic turning left onto Georgetown Pike to Beltway ramps. The road was widened to allow for dedicated left, thru and right turn lanes.

"This improvement provides some much-needed relief for residents who live near the intersection," said Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust in a statement. "Thank you to the community members who provided input and VDOT and Fairfax County staff who understood and acted on the urgency to get this done."

SEE ALSO: Repairs For Flood-Damaged McLean Road To Move Forward

The existing traffic signal was modified to include flashing yellow arrows for turns from both directions of Balls Hill Road. There's also a new traffic camera to detect when vehicles approach for timing purposes. To top it off, crews added new drainage structures, which includes stormwater pipes, curb and gutter, junction boxes and drop inlets.

The work was done over the summer while schools weren't in session. The intersection is near Cooper Middle School, and Langley High School is down the road on Georgetown Pike.