Richmond Highway Widening Plans Moving Forward

The Virginia Department of Transportation has proposed widening a section of Richmond Highway from four to six lanes in an effort to reduce congestion and improve safety. Officials will hold a town hall to collect resident feedback and provide information Wednesday, April 4 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road.

The design would create six lanes on the road between Jeff Todd Way and Napper Road. Officials are also looking at intersection options at Sacramento Drive/Cooper Road and Buckman Road/Mount Vernon Highway. The project also includes new bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians and room for the county's future bus rapid transit.

According to WTOP, the widening will cost $215 million. The design phase was funded by federal, state, and county sources and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. It is expected to begin in 2023 and finish by 2026.

The widening would come as the county moves forward with the Embark Richmond Highway Initiative. Approved last month by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the initiative paves the way for a bus rapid transit system, from the Huntington Metro Station to Fort Belvoir and in the long term a Yellow Line Metrorail extension to Hybla Valley.

Main image via Google Maps screenshot