The DC area has several transportation projects scheduled to open this year. Check out this article for a rundown of the top 10 projects in the works.
Every year, we take a look ahead at major transportation construction projects in the region that are scheduled to be completed sometime during the year.
This year, Metro transit will have several improvements (and hopefully they’ll get the 7000-series train issues sorted out, too). Meanwhile, drivers in Virginia will see one big interstate project get completed. And District residents will see the final transformation around the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.
Big caveat on the list, we know construction schedules are notoriously finicky and projects are often delayed especially during a pandemic with sick workers, rising construction prices, and more unforeseen events… so stay tuned. We tried to verify this list against websites and reach out for confirmation, but schedules do change often. You can also find our lists from 2020 and 2021.
Below we’ve mapped where the projects are. You can click on the lines and icons for more information and read below for more details on each project.
Silver Line Phase II
What: A Silver Line Metrorail extension from Wiehle-Reston to Ashburn, Virginia. It will include six new stations and a connection to Dulles International Airport. The $2.8 billion project has been in the works for decades and has a storied history of construction issues. In fact, it was included in our list of projects set to open in 2020 and 2021 and that didn’t happen. Finishing construction issues, systems integration, and testing have delayed the opening.
When: Spring, according to Metro. The project was substantially complete in October. Metro officials say several safety hurdles have to be passed before opening day, which has not been set yet. It could be sometime after March.
Where: Along the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia
Why: Connecting more of Northern Virginia to Metro — Loudoun County, Dulles Airport, and more.
Project website: DullesMetro.com
Potomac Yard Metro station
What: A new $320 million infill station on the Blue and Yellow lines in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood. The new station is between the National Airport stop and the Braddock Road stop. Earlier in 2021, Metro announced the project would be delayed a few months because of problems with systems integration.
When: September 2022
Where: Alexandria’s Potomac Yard area (right behind the Target).
Why: The so-called National Landing area is going to be a key economic and education center in the coming years as Amazon moves in up the road, Virginia Tech sets up a campus right near the station, and apartment, office, and shopping developments take off. The station is expected to attract 12,000 riders a day and get about 6,000 people out of vehicles and on to transit.
Project website: Potomac Yard Metro
Metro Station Rehabilitations
What: Metro is wrapping up work on a Red Line station at Rockville where they are replacing a canopy. The project, which has closed both Shady Grove and Rockville, was delayed after Metro had to shut down the project temporarily to move older trains out of the Shady Grove Yard and back into service after the 7000-series trains were sidelined because of wheel issues. Then this summer, Metro is finishing up a years-long project to rebuild outdoor platforms. The last set of stations are on the east end of the Orange Line.
When: January 16th (Red Line) and Summer 2022 (Orange Line)
Where: Cheverly, Landover, New Carrollton. Deanwood and Minnesota Avenue stations will also be closed, but won’t be getting reconstructed.
Why: Metro is replacing and repairing crumbling concrete platforms to maintain safe stations. They’re also upgrading amenities like anti-slip tiles, new information screens, and better security cameras.
Project website: Metro Station Rehabilitation
Rockville Pike/Medical Center Metro Pedestrian tunnel
What: A new underground passage connecting the Medical Center Metro to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The project includes high-speed elevators and stairs.
When: Early 2022
Where: Near the Medical Center Metro station, under Rockville Pike in Bethesda
Why: The project will improve pedestrian and bike safety, giving people direct access to the Metro station and an underground passage to the Walter Reed Medical Center. Pedestrians won’t have to cross six lanes of traffic.
Project website: MD355crossing.com
I-66 Outside the Beltway Express Lanes
What: If you’ve driven out on I-66 in recent years you’ve noticed the massive amount of construction. The Commonwealth is adding nearly 23 miles of Express Lanes, also known as High Occupancy Toll lanes. With the expansion, they’ve had to revamp 12 interchanges and build several new bridges, too. More bus service, park and ride lots, and 11 miles of trails will also be added along the corridor.
When: December 2022
Where: Northern Virginia, starting at the Beltway and moving west to Gainesville
Why: Virginia officials say Express Lanes give drivers a choice to either carpool with three people total to use the lanes for free, or pay a variable toll, to get out of traffic in the regular lanes.
Project website: Outside.Transform66.org
Road widening projects in Northern Virginia
What: Two mile-and-a-half-long road widening projects. The first one expands Route 1 from a four-lane road to a divided six-lane highway through Woodbridge from Mary’s Way to Featherstone Road. The other expands Route 28 from a four-way road to a six-lane divided highway near Manassas from Route 234 to Linton Hall Road. Both projects include a multi-use trail and sidewalks.
When: Summer 2022
Where: Woodbridge and Manassas
Why: The projects should relieve congestion and add trails to the roads, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority officials say. Though studies show that congestion relief benefits are usually short-term and congested traffic returns.
Project website: NVTA
Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Project
What: The new bridge with six soaring, white arches over the Anacostia River opened in September. But the largest part of the project, coming in at $550 million-plus, that adds large traffic ovals on either side of the river and reconfigures the Suitland Parkway/I-295 interchange is still underway. The ovals will create new green space areas. Plus, the old bridge needs to be demolished.
When: July 2022
Where: Each side of the Anacostia River near Nationals Park and Anacostia Park in D.C.
Why: The old bridge, which was functionally obsolete due to its age and condition, has been replaced. Now crews will work on the approaches that hopefully should make traffic flow smoother.
Project website: NewFrederickDouglassBridge.com
16th Street Bus Lanes
What: The District’s longest dedicated bus lane project will stretch for nearly three miles on the north-south route in the District. Only buses will be allowed to use the red-painted lanes. The S buses (S2, S4, and S9) should see a few minutes shaved off their route run time, according to the District Department of Transportation.
When: May 2022
Where: 16th Street from H Street to Arkansas Avenue in D.C.
Why: The corridor serves more than 20,000 riders each weekday, making it one of the busiest in the region in terms of ridership. Bus lanes should help those riders get to their destination quicker.
Project website: 16thStreetNWBus.com
D.C.’s 20 miles by 2022 Bike Lane project
What: The District Department of Transportation is finishing a four-year project to build 20 miles of bike lanes by 2022. The last year of the project is set to have the largest expansion with 11.5 miles of bike lanes. The longest stretch is 1.3 miles on M Street through Navy Yard from 6th Street SW to 11th Street SE
When: Throughout 2022
Where: All across D.C.
Why: DDOT says there’s a growing demand for safe places to bike that are somewhat protected from vehicle traffic. Protected bike lanes create a lower stress environment than riding in mixed traffic. Planners hope that building more safe spaces will attract more riders.
Project website: DDOT Bike Lanes
Met Branch Trail extension to Fort Totten
What: The popular Metropolitan Branch Trail will finally link up with the Fort Totten transit center in a much easier way. Right now it takes a meandering route through a neighborhood and includes a big hill.
When: Late January 2022
Where: Northeast D.C.
Why: Greater trail connectivity in Northeast D.C.
Project website: Metropolitan Branch Trail