GGW provides a good look at the expansion of Rt. 7 from 193 to Tysons

Route 7 is getting new trails and a tunnel that connects communities

Roads By Kristy Cartier (Volunteer Contributor) January 4, 2017
 
Plans to widen Route 7 (also called Leesburg Pike) in Fairfax County between Tysons Corner and Reston also include new trails that would run on both sides of the road. There will also be a tunnel connecting park land that the road intersects.

Formally called the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project, the plan applies to a seven-mile stretch from the Dulles Toll Road to Route 193. It should be finished in 2025. Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) is overseeing the project since Route 7 is a state road. . .

With the redevelopment of Merrifield, Tysons, and Reston, Fairfax County is starting to embrace walkability and multi-modal access. The transportation section of the 2013 Comprehensive Plan states that “it will be impossible to meet travel demand solely by roadways,” so, accordingly, the Connect Route 7 plan includes adding 10-foot wide paths on both sides of the road. In addition, the project will put more displaced left turns, crosswalks, and pedestrian countdown signals at intersections along this stretch.

A tunnel at a key intersection will connect trails and park land

In one section of the corridor, VDOT’s planners have decided that a tunnel under Route 7 would be safer than the current crosswalk. The underpass will reconnect the north and south areas of Colvin Run Mill Park, which Route 7 bisects. . . .

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Route 7 needs transit to get people to Tysons, Greater Greater Washington, December 6, 2012

by Jenifer Joy Madden

In Fairfax County, some residents are worried about squandering a real opportunity to reduce traffic into Tysons.  State officials want to expand Route 7 between Reston Avenue and the Dulles Toll Road, but can't consider transit because of the county's comprehensive plan. . . .

. . .  The current Fairfax County comprehensive plan doesn't allow for enhancing transit on Route 7.  So, with comment time running out on this phase of the project, there's only one thing to do: tell VDOT to work with Fairfax County to change its comp plan so Route 7 is designated an "Enhanced Public Transportation Corridor," just as it is on the east side of Tysons.  Only by doing that can VDOT begin to consider transit options along the route. . . .

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VDOT Announcement: Public Information Meeting on Rt. 7 Widening, November 28, 2012

Proposed

Route 7 Widening -- Reston to Dulles Toll Road

From Four to Six Lanes in Fairfax County

Note: A public information meeting for this project will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 at Colvin Run Elementary School, 1400 Trap Road in Vienna. Stop by between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. VDOT and Fairfax County staff will be available to answer your questions. We hope to see you there!

About the Project

This project would widen a 6.9-mile stretch of Route 7 from four to six lanes between Reston Avenue and just west of the bridge over the Dulles Toll Road, to increase capacity, decrease congestion and improve safety in conformity with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.
Estimated cost is about $300 million and includes a 10-foot shared use path on either side of the roadway and intersection improvements.

For more information visit the Fairfax County Department of Transportation project website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/rt7/.