Work on Dulles Rail project steps into high gear

TYSONS CORNER, Va. - The days of talking about federal funding for the Dulles Rail project seem like a distant memory when you see the amount of work taking place on the Metrorail expansion. In fact, construction activity is now ongoing along the entire length of the first phase of the project, which will run from East Falls Church to Reston.

Nowhere is that work more visible than in Tysons Corner, where an enormous pit at the intersection of Route 123 and International Drive has been carved from the earth like a slice of cake.

Huge steel beams and columns of wood hold back tons of dirt. It is the beginning of a tunnel that will actually pass through Tysons. While the tunnel will not run the entire length of Tysons, as some advocates have pushed for with this project, it will be submerged for about 2,400 feet. The opposite end of the tunnel will be at the intersection of Routes 123 and 7.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to open in 2013.

Here is a list of all the upcoming work related to the Dulles Rail project:

Dulles Connector Road/I-66 Interchange

Caissons and piers, which will support foundations for at-grade and aerial track work, are being built. You will continue to see more of these develop along the Dulles Connector Road median in the coming months.

Dulles Connector Road

During the week of Aug. 10, overnight work will close the eastbound Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) ramp to northbound Route 123. Drivers will be directed to detour by using the ramp to southbound Route 123 and using the traffic signal to access the northbound lanes.

Route 123

Early preparation of the eastern portion of the 2,400 foot tunnel has started at Route 123 and International Drive, including construction of a concrete plant. This month, other equipment and facilities essential to the tunnel construction will be put into place. Preliminary foundation work is taking place for the Tysons Central 123 station at Route 123 and Tysons Boulevard.

Route 7

The ramp from southbound Route 123 to Route 7 will close temporarily overnight Aug. 7-8. Construction crews will permanently remove traffic signals and reconfigure the traffic plan. After Aug. 8, the ramp will only reopen for westbound Route 7 only. Eastbound Route 7 from southbound 123 will remain closed. Use southbound International Drive to access eastbound Route 7.

The two-way Frontage Road along the north side of Route 123 between International Drive and Route 7 is subject to night time closures to support ongoing utility relocation. Business access remains open during this work. Work has begun on the western portion of the tunnel at the northwest cloverleaf at Route 7 and Route 123 along the Frontage Road.

Dulles International Airport Access Highway and Dulles Toll Road

Construction has started in the median of the access highway near the future Wiehle Avenue station.

Ongoing Work

Utility relocation and occasional lane closures will continue along the Route 7 service roads, portions of Route 123, the Dulles International Airport Access Highway and Dulles Toll Road. Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout this work.

Ramp closures are scheduled at night in order to avoid peak traffic hours.

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