Eaton Place/Chain Bridge Road Intersection Improvements

Project typeCity Project
StatusDesign in Progress

Project Background

The Eaton Place/Chain Bridge Road Intersection is a critical component of the regional transportation network; access ramps to I-66 are located on Route 123 just north of the intersection, and Route 123 traffic in this section will increase with the addition of the I-66 Express Lanes access points. The location is also the City’s northern gateway and connects users with the Northfax area, one of the City’s targeted redevelopment areas. Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) is a National Highway System (NHS) route and serves an ADT of 39,000 VPD. The intersection experiences significant congestion due to its current operation with eight signal phases (including four separate side street phases) to control movements at seven legs.

While the City was originally considering replacement of the traffic signals at this intersection with a two-lane roundabout, the City has reevaluated options in light of the I-66 project, which has added a number of new traffic signals along the corridor, thus decreasing the efficiency of a roundabout in this location. The City is now planning to keep the intersection as signalized but reconfigure the approaches to improve traffic flow and safety on Chain Bridge Road. The updated plan will utilize the new signal north of Eaton Place to accommodate exiting Cobbdale neighborhood traffic, which will relieve pressure from the primary intersection at Eaton and Chain Bridge Road. The updated intersection will also remove the frontage road signals on Chain Bridge Road, thereby simplifying the operations of this now-complicated intersection.

Project Funding

The City was awarded $10.7M in funding for intersection improvements at Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

The updated plan for the intersection can be accommodated within this funding amount.

Tentative Schedule

The City Council approved the revised concept at the April 11, 2023 meeting. An update schedule for design and construction is being developed.
Right of Way: Summer 2025
Construction: 2026-2027 (approx. 18 months)