Work to Begin Soon on New Bridge Connecting Jones Branch Drive and Route 123

Construction will soon begin on an important transportation link in Tysons, according to Fairfax County. In early 2017, look for groundbreaking to begin on the $57.8 million project to build a new bridge over the Capital Beltway connecting Jones Branch Drive and Route 123 (Dolley Madison Boulevard).

The new road, called the Jones Branch Connector, will provide an alternate route across the Beltway, relieve traffic along Route 123 at the Route 123/I-495 interchange, and help traffic flow at other congested intersections in the Tysons shopping and business areas. The road is expected to carry more than 21,000 vehicles per day by 2020, and create a vital option for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Courtesy of Fairfax County, map of Jones Branch Connector (see more details at VDOT)

The project’s features and improvements include:

• Two travel lanes and on-street bike lanes in each direction
• Three bridges over the I-495 Express and general purpose lanes
• 8- to 12-foot wide lighted sidewalks, landscaping and other streetscape amenities
• A wide, raised median to accommodate future expansion of bus or other transit

Work will begin in early 2017, with one lane of traffic in each direction planned to open in November 2018. The entire project is expected to be complete by late 2019.

PHOTO: Renderings courtesy of Fairfax County