VDOT Popes Head Road Project Update

VDOT hosted a pardon our dust meeting on Feb. 28th. The presentation can be found here.
As we’ve all seen, this project has started! Substantial completion date target 10/21/26 with final completion date 11/23/26.

Per VDOT, this project is replacing the traffic signal at Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) and Popes Head Road (Route 654) with an interchange. The interchange will feature triple roundabouts that will allow traffic to flow freely via two new bridges over Fairfax County Parkway.

The project also includes:

  • Building a short segment of the future Shirley Gate Road extension that will provide pedestrian and vehicle access to the future Patriot Park (Fairfax County is designing the rest of the Shirley Gate extension)
  • Constructing a shared-use path linking the Fairfax County Parkway Trail to the future Patriot Park
  • Reconstructing the Fairfax County Parkway Trail
  • Installing a sidewalk along the north side of Popes Head Road
  • Extending Ladues End Lane to the new roundabout at Popes Head Road
  • Adding an acceleration lane for drivers turning from Nomes Court onto northbound Fairfax County Parkway

At the intersection, Fairfax County Parkway averages about 68,000 vehicles a day and Popes Head Road averages about 3,400.