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.

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

Questions about the proposed project will be answered by transportation staff. 

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    How can the city put a turn around in the middle of an active road, Willow Crescent Drive continues down into the apartment complex almost an additional half mile of county owned road?

    RGANVA asked about 1 year ago

    The city is not proposing this; it is part of the VDOT I-66 project.

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    So in the video posted about the Open House, Ms Stanford says that the bike path along I-66 will connect with the George Snyder Trail (in so many words). Why, then would the path need to be placed on the East side where everyone is against putting it, with bikers crossing at Eaton, only to have to figure out how to go back ‘up’ the east side of Rt. 123 to connect to that trail, vs. having the bike path on the east side end at the proposed new light, and bikers cross there, which is EXACTLY leading into the GS Trail? This would make bikers on the East side cross to the west side and back, which is the argument transportation is saying that would happen if it’s on the west side. This makes no sense.

    T.R.D. asked about 1 year ago

    In an ideal world, we’d have the shared use path (SUP) on both sides. However, right now the priority is to construct one on the west side for the reasons listed below.

    • The I-66 regional SUP spur is on the west side of CBR (VDOT is unable to put the spur on the east side).

    • Users wishing to access the George Snyder Trail will cross at the new signal and get on the trail. However, anyone wishing to access bike facilities south and west of that new connection would be cut off at that point.

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    Why did the City remove the political signs that residents put within their property line to educate people who transit the area about the City Plans? This is a right to Freedom of Speech that is upheld by the Supreme Court.

    FairfaxPedestrian asked about 1 year ago

    The signs were removed by mistake. Street Division staff thought the signs were in the right-of-way, which is not permitted. The signs are being returned to the community this morning (3/8). Thank you for your patience in this matter.

     

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    Why are we seeing a sudden uptick in comments from neighboring county planners and connections to transportation officials?

    transparency1st asked about 1 year ago

    The intersection serves many people. We've extended outreach efforts beyond the immediate neighborhood to hear from as many users as possible. All feedback is welcome and encouraged.