Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place Intersection Improvements

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This consultation has concluded. City Council voted to endorse the recommended design on April 11, 2023. 

Improving the Intersection

The City of Fairfax is evaluating potential improvements to the intersection of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Eaton Place. Improvements would be in addition to a new traffic signal that will be installed north of the intersection as part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway project.

This intersection is a top priority in the city’s Two-Year Transportation Plan. The location of the intersection serves as the northern gateway to the city and connects travelers to the Northfax area, which is targeted for redevelopment.

Existing Condition

Chain Bridge Road is a National Highway System route and serves 39,000 vehicles per day. The intersection with Eaton Place experiences significant congestion due to its current operation with eight signal phases (including four separate side street phases) to control movements at seven legs. The intersection is a critical component of the regional transportation network, with access ramps to I-66 located north of the intersection. Traffic is expected in increase along Chain Bridge Road with the addition of the I-66 Express Lanes access points.

Planned Improvements

The city considered replacing the traffic signals with a two-lane roundabout, but this solution was deemed to be inefficient when considered with the new traffic signals associated with the I-66 Outside the Beltway project.

The city now plans to keep the intersection signalized but reconfigure the approaches to improve traffic flow and safety on Chain Bridge Road. The plan will leverage the new signal north of Eaton Place to relieve pressure from the primary intersection at Eaton Place and Chain Bridge Road. The frontage road signals on Chain Bridge Road will be removed, thereby simplifying the intersection.

The updated plan for the intersection can be completed using $10.7M awarded from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

Next Steps

An updated plan was presented to City Council during the Feb. 7 work session. Please use the tools below to comment on the updated plan and ask questions.

An open house was held on Feb. 22 at the Sherwood Center.

City Council will be asked to formally endorse the plan April 11. Residents are invited to attend the meeting in City Hall, or watch it on Channel 12 or online.

Improving the Intersection

The City of Fairfax is evaluating potential improvements to the intersection of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Eaton Place. Improvements would be in addition to a new traffic signal that will be installed north of the intersection as part of the I-66 Outside the Beltway project.

This intersection is a top priority in the city’s Two-Year Transportation Plan. The location of the intersection serves as the northern gateway to the city and connects travelers to the Northfax area, which is targeted for redevelopment.

Existing Condition

Chain Bridge Road is a National Highway System route and serves 39,000 vehicles per day. The intersection with Eaton Place experiences significant congestion due to its current operation with eight signal phases (including four separate side street phases) to control movements at seven legs. The intersection is a critical component of the regional transportation network, with access ramps to I-66 located north of the intersection. Traffic is expected in increase along Chain Bridge Road with the addition of the I-66 Express Lanes access points.

Planned Improvements

The city considered replacing the traffic signals with a two-lane roundabout, but this solution was deemed to be inefficient when considered with the new traffic signals associated with the I-66 Outside the Beltway project.

The city now plans to keep the intersection signalized but reconfigure the approaches to improve traffic flow and safety on Chain Bridge Road. The plan will leverage the new signal north of Eaton Place to relieve pressure from the primary intersection at Eaton Place and Chain Bridge Road. The frontage road signals on Chain Bridge Road will be removed, thereby simplifying the intersection.

The updated plan for the intersection can be completed using $10.7M awarded from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

Next Steps

An updated plan was presented to City Council during the Feb. 7 work session. Please use the tools below to comment on the updated plan and ask questions.

An open house was held on Feb. 22 at the Sherwood Center.

City Council will be asked to formally endorse the plan April 11. Residents are invited to attend the meeting in City Hall, or watch it on Channel 12 or online.

Comments

Please share your comments on the proposed plans to improve the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Eaton Place.

This consultation has concluded. City Council voted to endorse the recommended design on April 11, 2023. 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Please include a SAFE bike path connection from the City of Fairfax to the new 66 bike trail as an essential part of any redesign of this intersection.

Amy almost 2 years ago
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Much needed improvements are welcomed, especially since the George Snyder Trail is planned to meet up with that intersection. The bike path that connects to the path that runs parallel to 66 can be seen along Chain Bridge Road running north.

Cpnthrz almost 2 years ago
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Please, no more traffic lights. Thank you.

Tom almost 2 years ago
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I am strongly supportive of the new design, especially removing the service road legs of the intersection. Every day cars end up running the red light for the access road signal when the main signal is green (for traffic coming from the access road), possibly because they do not see or understand that signal, and it poses a hazard. This will simplify the intersection considerably.

John T almost 2 years ago
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Hullo,

I can appreciate there are significant challenges with this intersection and that it’s tough to make everyone happy. I would ask (plead!) that the signal timing be such that one can proceed at the speed limit along 123 without having to stop at every. single. light. every. single. time. especially when there is no traffic.

I’ve lived here since 1999 and travel daily along 123 at many different times of the day. I can count on one hand the times I’ve been able to leave my home and proceed northbound across 50, and across Eaton place, without having to stop at every traffic light, even when there are no other cars in sight. Even more frustrating, while I’m stopped at this empty intersection for no reason, I can see the next light ahead has turned green, the intersection remains empty, yet the light turns red when I get there. Traveling southbound is similar - no traffic and still have to stop at every one.

Rezsince1999 almost 2 years ago
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I understand that the roundabouts wouldn't work but this replaces once problematic design (existing) with a different confusing design with lots of conflicts. Will the same multiple phase signals be needed coming from Norman and Oak and Best Western and Willow Crescent that causes problems today? This will be very confusing for pedestrians and cyclists going to I-66 trail as well. Consider including northbound left at both signals to disperse traffic and consider totally separating Assembly/Cobbs Grove from Norman/Oak or everything else from Assembly. Or flip inbound to north side and southbound to south side to eliminate conflict points. Also consider separated single or dual rights from Eaton to northbound Chain Bridge to allow overlap right turns.

MLD almost 2 years ago
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