VDOT Says Gainesville Interchange Not Finished

The Virginia Department of Transportation celebrated the completion of the $230 million Linton Hall/Route 29 Interchange project in Gainesville last Thursday, but they admit they still have work to do.

"While all of the interchange’s movements are now open to traffic, crews are finishing up some final details this summer," VDOT spokesperson Jenni McCord said.

Currently, Shirley Contracting Company crews are working on aesthetic improvements and fine-tuning the driver experience.

"They’ve demolished the detour roads and are doing work such as planting and restoring those areas, finishing final paving and striping and some turn-lane work," McCord said.

The signal timing will also be monitored and adjusted to optimize traffic flow.

"At first it was a mess. Now they just need to work on finishing it as well as getting the lights timed properly," Crystal Denton of Gainesville said. "I think once it is complete it will help traffic tremendously."

However, some residents are not completely satisfied with the progress. One major concern is the new turn from Linton Hall to Route 29 South.

"It's scary to go from Linton Hall to 29 South, especially when trying to merge with the traffic that is already on 29," Karola Longo of Bristow said.

The project, which began in 2009, was intended to address the need for infrastructure improvements in the expanding Gainesville area and eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing that was site of five train v. vehicle accidents in approximately one year.

"The centerpiece of the project is a pair of overpasses: one carrying Route 29 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad for nearly 1,300 feet, and one carrying Linton Hall and Gallerher roads over the railroad and Route 29," McCord said. "To further improve traffic flow, Route 29 was widened to six lanes, with several driveway entrances and two traffic signals eliminated between I-66 and Virginia Oaks Drive."

According to VDOT estimates, traffic in Gainesville is expected to increase to 87,000 vehicles a day by 2035 from 57,000 in 2008.

"I also think a lot of people expected the bridge to end all the traffic issues in this area as well and it wasn't meant to do all that," Denton said. "Plus, many have moved to this area since the bridge project was started as well."