First Section Of I-66 Biking, Walking Path Opens As Part Of Express Lanes Project

VIENNA, VA — While the Interstate 66 Express Lanes opened in late 2022, another part of the megaproject is being completed to benefit bicyclists and pedestrians.

Last week, the first part of the 66 Parallel Trail opened in the Vienna area. The portion of the trail runs between Cedar Lane and Chain Bridge Road. The full 11-mile trail between Gallows Road in Dunn Loring to just west of Route 28 in Centreville is expected to be completed in summer 2023.

The trail adds new traveling options for pedestrians and bicyclists along I-66. The shared-use path is about 10 feet wide with a 2-foot shoulder on each side. Some locations with limited space have the trail reduced to eight feet with shoulders. Access points to the trail will be every half mile.

The trail is funded by the I-66 Express Mobility Partners, a group of private companies behind the I-66 Express Lanes project.

"We’ve often said that the Transform 66 Project is about much more than keeping cars and trucks moving. It’s about keeping people moving," said Luis Vazquez, CEO of I-66 Express Mobility Partners. "The 66 Parallel Trail is a unique component of our multi-modal transportation project and is a great representation of the transformative infrastructure now available to travelers all along the I-66 corridor."

A ribbon cutting for the train was held last Wednesday at the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station along with a bike ride on the trail from the station to the Cedar Lane bridge.

The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway added 22.5 miles of Express Lanes alongside regular lanes between the Capital Beltway and University Boulevard in Gainesville. The 66 Parallel Trail is the largest part of 18 miles of trails being added in Fairfax and Prince William counties during the project.