Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne (right) and NVTA Chairman Martin E. Nohe (left) cutting a ribbon at the opening of the new lanes. Photo contributed
The City of Fairfax announces the opening of a third westbound lane along Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) from Bevan Drive to Jermantown Road. The improvements include the widening of southbound Jermantown Road to allow for two through lanes adjacent to the left turn lane and additional intersection improvements. This $6.5 million improvement project received $1 million from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of its FY2015-16 Program.
The Jermantown project will enhance operations on both Route 50 and Jermantown Road by improving capacity for westbound traffic exiting the City and improving the Jermantown Road southbound intersection approach. With the addition of a new westbound lane on Route 50 between Bevan Drive and Jermantown Road, afternoon peak period congestion on Route 50 traffic will decrease. The additional southbound right turn lane on Jermantown Road will decrease afternoon peak period traffic congestion for Jermantown Road commuters. The geometric improvements on southbound Jermantown Road will improve mobility in the vicinity of the intersection with Route 50. This combination of improvements will allow for additional green-time at the intersection signal to be assigned to Route 50, which enhances regional mobility and improves operations on the route.