Route 123 Traffic Shifted To New Bridge Over I-66

OAKTON, VA — Traffic on Route 123 is being shifted to a new bridge over Interstate 66 in the Oakton and Fairfax area.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said the shift will happen during daytime hours on or around Thursday. Access to and from I-66 at Route 123 remains the same even with the shift to the new bridge.

The Route 123 bridges over I-66 are being replaced as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project, which will add Express Lanes as well as interchange improvements and new bike and pedestrian trails. Demolition of the old northbound Route 123 bridge began earlier in January. The current southbound Route 123 bridge over I-66 will be demolished to allow for construction of new ramps to the I-66 regular and express lanes, as well as a shared-use path.

VDOT estimated demolition of the two main bridges could happen over an eight to 12 week time frame, depending on weather and other factors. Most of the demolition work occurs overnight when multiple lanes of I-66 can be closed, but VDOT says work will happen in the daytime when possible. VDOT asks drivers to slow down and be aware of changing traffic patterns.

The new Express Lanes are expected to open in December 2022, and construction on the Route 123 and I-66 interchange will continue through 2022. The interchange will provide access to the regular and express lanes, while a new shared-use path through the interchange will connect the 66 Parallel Trail and planned trails in the City of Fairfax.

Other bridges in the area have been reconstructed to make room for the new Express Lanes. The Cedar Lane bridge opened in December with a sidewalk on one side and shared use path on the other connecting to the future 66 Parallel Trail. The Vaden Drive Bridge near the Vienna Metro station, another bridge that was demolished and reconstructed, opened in November.

More information on the project and traffic impacts can be found at outside.transform66.org.