Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Progress and Pictures

[Sand Box John]

Went over to Tysons Corner Yesterday.

The only actual real construction on the project that is taking place is in the area of the portal west of the future Tysons Central 123 (Tysons Corner Center) Station. Some tree clearing has been done along the Dulles Connector Road adjacent to the interchange with VA I-66. Most of the rest construction taking place is utility relocation with the exception of the work being done in the VA-123 Chain Bridge Road VA I-495 Capitol Beltway Interchange. That work is a separate project, Virginia I-495 Capitol Beltway HOV/HOT lane project.

Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Pictures 04-18-2009.

For those into viewing EXIF image information the pictures that show no focal length and F stop were shot using a Nikkor 200mm f4.0 AIS lens. Image 5 at the above link was shot at f/32 with a shutter speed of 1/500 and ISO set at 1600.

The best locations for taking pictures and viewing the project along VA-123 Chain Bridge Road west of the Capitol Beltway is from the WestPark Drive overpass and Tysons Corner Center parking deck E and to a lesser extent parking deck D. The east end of Leesburg Pike part of the is best viewed from the VA-123 Chain Bridge Road overpass. There is a terrace behind 8444 Westpark Drive that might be a good viewing location along Leesburg Pike west of the future Tysons Central 7 (Pike Seven Plaza) Station. Will have to check out that location on next visit.

This is the first in a series of posts on the progress of this project. Reports with pictures will appear roughly ever 4 to 6 week for the duration of construction of both phase I and phase II.

[WMAveteran]

Thank you.  I pass through there about once a week at highway speeds and from the highway all you really notice is the absence of all the trees that were cut down.

[Sand Box John]

WMAveteran
Thank you.  I pass through there about once a week at highway speeds and from the highway all you really notice is the absence of all the trees that were cut down.

If you are referring to the trees that were removed in the area of the VA-123 Chain Bridge Road Capitol Beltway VA I-495 interchange, those were removed for the reconstruction of the interchange to accommodate the beltway HOV/HOT lanes. 

[C40LF_2464]

Call me stupid but is this gonna be a new station or something?

[Sand Box John]

DE40LFR
Call me stupid but is this gonna be a new station or something?

The area in the median in picture two just beyond the asphalt patch is where the east end of the Tysons Central 7 (Pike Seven Plaza) station in a ditch will be.

See station slide show link for Tysons Central 7 (Pike Seven Plaza) here.

The area directly right of the site perimeter fence in picture five is the location of the Tysons Central 123 (Tysons Corner Center) station. Just in front of where the I beams are stacked is where the station entrance and mezzanine will be. The shoring piles to right are by others and are not part of the station construction project.

See station slide show link for Tysons Central 123 (Tysons Corner Center) here.

[smithavechuck]

John:

Great job.  Thank you.  Has much occurred since April?
If so, could you please bring us up to date.

Chuck

[Sand Box John]

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail 06 09 2009



Construction Headquarters behind TBM launch area at west end of Tysons 123 (Tysons Center) station

Construction Signals Transformation of Dulles Corridor

Throughout Tysons Corner, cranes and other heavy equipment are signs of major construction work now underway on Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. This signals the coming of the long-awaited rail line that will eventually connect the entire Dulles Corridor from East Falls Church to Dulles Airport and eastern Loudoun and serve the bustling Tysons Corner, Reston and Herndon areas along the way.

The new 23-mile rail line is being built in two phases. It will bring about major changes in transportation options and lifestyles of those who live, work, travel and play in this important quadrant of Northern Virginia and the entire metropolitan area. The rail line will provide a "no transfer" ride from Dulles Airport to downtown Washington, and it will energize visions for the future of areas around the new rail stations.

Basic Facts
Phase 1
      · 5 stations along 11 miles from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue
      · 4 stations in Tysons Corner
      · 2,300 parking spaces at Wiehle Avenue
      · Completion: 2013

Phase 2
      · 6 stations along 11.5 miles from Wiehle Avenue to Route  772 in Loudoun with stops at Reston Parkway, Herndon-Monroe, Route 28 near the CIT, Dulles Airport , Route 606 and Route 772 (Ashburn)
      · Parking at Herndon-Monroe, Route 28, 606 and 772
      · Completion: 2016

Current Work Areas
       · Along the northwest side of Route 123 between Tysons Boulevard and International Drive where tunnel preparation work is taking place
      · Clearing and site prep in the median of Route 267
      · Site access prep near the Wiehle Avenue station



Truck at Construction Headquarters

Utility Relocations
      · Continue along Routes 7 and 123
      · Now more than 50 percent complete

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[Sand Box John]

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail 07 06 2009


Aerial of Route 123 in Tysons Corner
Photo by Trevor Wrayton, VDOT
(TBM launch area in upper left corner of work area)

Route 123 Under Construction

Current Activity
Utility relocation continues along the northwest side of Route 123 between Route 267 and Route 7
Construction of piers at intersection of Westpark Bridge, next to Route 123
Construction headquarters is located at the intersection of Route 123, between International Drive and Tysons Boulevard
Ongoing coordination with the Capital Beltway HOT Lanes Project at the I-495/Route 123 intersection
Tree and shrub clearing and site preparation continues

What to Expect on Route 123: 2009
Construction of the Tysons East and Tysons Central 123 station guideways will begin this Summer and Fall
Construction will begin on the 2,400-foot tunnel between the International Drive/Route 123 intersection and the Marshalls Drive/Route 7 intersection

Long-Term Impacts
Guideway construction to begin in 2010 and continue along the northwest side (Capital One & Tysons Galleria side) of Route 123 into 2013.


Deep Trench Under Construction

Route 7 Under Construction

What to Expect on Route 7: 2009
Service roads will close late Summer, early Fall 2009

Most mid-block left turns and U-turns will close in Fall 2009

Business access will remain a priority

Long-term lane shifts near the future Tysons West and Tysons Central 7 stations begin in 2009

The number of traffic lanes will be maintained except for brief off-peak closures

Tunnel Details
Construction will begin on the 2,400-foot tunnel between the International Drive/Route 123 intersection and the Marshalls Drive/Route 7 intersection

Construction to begin late Summer/early Fall 2009

Utility Relocation Continues
21 utilities being relocated along service roads: power, communications, water and sewer

Power lines will be placed underground

Projected completion: early 2010

Dulles Toll Road/Route 7 Intersection
Temporary nighttime ramp closings and detours this Summer

Long-Term Impacts
Significant traffic shifts on Route 7 for Tysons West and Tysons Central 7 stations:

- Summer/Fall 2009 (exit ramp westbound Route 7 to southbound Route 123)

- Spring 2010 (westbound and eastbound Route 7)

- Fall 2010 (westbound Route 7 only)

- Fall 2011 (restore westbound Route 7 to final configuration)

Track construction to begin in 2010 and continue in median into 2013

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July 2009 Newsletter (534 KB PDF file) Text same as above with additional pictures.

[Sand Box John]

Went over to Northern Virginia this passed Sunday.

Over all, most of what is visible is continuing progress on utility relocation.

The contractor has begun prepping for excavation of the area where the west end of the bored tunnels transition to cut and cover in the VA-7 Leesburg Pike VA-123 Chain Bridge Road interchange. The contractor has also drilled well along the bored tunnel alignment. One can assume these wells will be used to monitor changes in the water table as tunneling proceeds.

I am starting to believe that the bored tunnels will not be excavated using a TBM but will be excavated using the NATM (New Austrian Tunnelling method).

Grading has begun in the area of the Wiehle Avenue Station.

The contractor has forms in place for one of the columns that will carry outbound track N2 over the westbound lanes of VA I-66.

The location of the future Dulles Yard is being used for tools and equipment storage.

Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Pictures 08-02-2009

[Sand Box John]

This one is a little late:

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update 08 04 2009

Construction Progress More Visible

Construction activities are officially underway along the entire alignment of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. See the route map on page 2 to reference locations listed below. (589 KB PDF file)


Dulles Connector Road VA-267 just west of VA I-66, grading at west end of elevated to cross VA I-66 and Falls Church Yard lead
Photo by Jessica Labukas, Dulles Corridor Metrorail 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 begun 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.


West end of excavation west of Tyson Central 123 (Tysons Center) station.
Photo by Howard Menaker, Dulles Transit Partners


Excavation west of Tyson Central 123 (Tysons Center) station.
Photo by Howard Menaker, Dulles Transit Partners

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. Please 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 nighttime closures to support ongoing utility relocations. 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 (DIAAH) and Dulles Toll Road (DTR)
Construction has started in the median of the DIAAH near the future Wiehle Avenue station.

Ongoing Work
Utility relocations and occasional lane closures will continue along the Route 7 service roads, portions of Route 123, the DIAAH and the DTR. Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout this work.
Ramp closures are scheduled at night in order to avoid peak traffic hours.
Motorists should stay alert and be prepared to alter their travel along these roads.

[Sand Box John]

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail 09 15 2009.


Route 123 Tunnel Entrance: Cut & cover tunnel preparations are underway at the area bounded by Route 123 & International Drive.

Route 7 Service Roads to Disappear This Fall

Along Route 7 in Tysons
Traffic patterns will change permanently between Route 123 and the Dulles Toll Road:

Major lane shifts are expected this Fall between Tyco and Spring Hill Roads and between Westpark Drive/Gosnell Roads and Route 123 where the Tysons West and Tysons Central 7 Stations will be built.

Service roads along the east and westbound lanes of Route 7 will disappear.

All mid-block left turns will be eliminated. Left turns will be allowed at signalized intersections: Westpark Drive/Gosnell Road, Spring Hill Road and Tyco Road.

The ramp from southbound Route 123 to westbound Route 7 will be shifted.

Left turns are no longer permitted into and out of Marshalls Drive (Tysons Square Shopping Center).

Along Route 123 in Tysons
Construction begins on the Tysons East Station at the northwest corner of Route 123 and Scotts Crossing Road causing the loss of two of the four lanes on Scotts Crossing for three years. This site is adjacent to Capital One.

Work will begin on the 2,400-foot tunnel that will carry the rail line from the northwest side of Route 123, under the Route 7/Route 123 interchange, to the median of Route 7 near the former Merchant's Tire building and the Marshalls (Tysons Square Shopping Center).

Dulles Connector Road (Route 267)
Pile driving will continue east from Route 123 to the I-66 interchange.

New bridges will be built near Magarity and Idylwood Roads and at Pimmit Run.

Equipment staging and lane closings continue from Route 123 east to I-66.

Dulles International Airport Access Highway (DIAAH)
Clearing and grading from Reston Parkway eastward to Route 7 in the median of the DIAAH continues.

Caissons and preliminary foundation work for the Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station east of Wiehle Avenue in the median of the DIAAH continues.

Access to all businesses and residential communities will be maintained throughout Dulles Corridor Metrorail construction.


Route 7 Tunnel Entrance: Cut & cover tunnel preparations are underway near the ramp from southbound Rt. 123 to westbound Rt. 7.

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September 2009 Newsletter 424 KB PDF file.

[Sand Box John]

WMATA: Tunneling Begins In Tysons Corner

18 Feet Done, Many More to Go
Building a Metrorail Tunnel at Tysons Corner Takes Brute Force Applied With a Deft Touch
By Lisa Rein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Tunnel Construction: Digging a Hole in Tyson's Corner
Construction begins at Route 123 and International Drive in Tyson's Corner as workers use special tunneling methods to build the future Metro line. This is all happening while commuters continue to navigate the roads above.

(washingtonpost.com)

This is not the first time NATM (New Austrian Tunneling Method) has been used by WMATA contractors. The stacked tunnels under Park Road between Columbia Heights and Georgia Avenue-Petworth and tunnels under Rock Creek Cemetery between Georgia Avenue-Petworth and Fort Totten were excavated this way.

Here is a look at the operation underway: A Complicated Dig
About 40 feet below Route 123 at International Drive, excavation has begun on the twin 2,400-foot tunnels that will connect two of the future Metro stations at Tysons Corner.

[Sand Box John]

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail newsletter 11 04 2009
There was no October progress update e-mail newsletter.



Construction of the 2,400-foot tunnel begins.(Outbound track N2) The tunnel will connect Route 123 to Route 7 in Tysons Corner.
Photo by Andrew Stone, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Tunnel Construction Begins

Beneath a busy interchange on top of the highest point in Tysons Corner, crews are mining a tunnel that will carry the Dulles Corridor Metrorail tracks from Route 123 to Route 7.

Working two 12-hour shifts per day, crews began tunnel construction, using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) to mine the first of two tunnels, the outbound segment. Construction will start on the inbound tunnel in the coming months.

The tunnels when completed will be 2,400-feet long. Construction is not visible to drivers because it is behind a crew fence along Route 123 near International Drive.

During construction, crews are using sensor technology to monitor the tunnel and nearby roads for any movements. Soil in the tunnel area is a combination of gravel, clay and sand.

Lane Shifts, Traffic Pattern Changes in Store for Route 7
Businesses and residents of the Tysons area have been told to expect major traffic pattern changes all along the 1-mile rail construction zone of Route 7 from the Dulles Toll Road east to Route 123 in the coming weeks. For example:

The service roads along the edges of the east and westbound lanes of Route 7 will be closed so that the edges of Route 7 itself can be pushed out to the edges of the service roads and beyond to make room for construction of the rail line and stations in the median of the road bed.

Near the two stations to be built along Route 7-Tysons Central 7 (near SAIC and Marshalls) and Tysons West (between Spring Hill and Tyco Roads), the eastbound lanes will balloon out into the parking areas of some businesses.

Also, along the eastbound lanes, crews will be building retention walls to support the new road bed as crews must build up many existing service roads to the levels of Route 7.

Mid-block left turns will be eliminated. Drivers will be encouraged to make U-turns at the existing signalized intersections: Westwood/Tyco, Spring Hill and Gosnell/Westpark.

A major lane shift has already taken place on Route 7, beginning at the Route 123 overpass.

The traffic signal at Route 7 from the Route 123 exit to Winchester and Reston has been removed.

The ramp from Route 7 to southbound Route 123 has been relocated.

Overlooking the Route 7 construction and ramp shift from the Route 123 overpass. (Area to left is where bored tunnels will transition to cut and cover.)
Photo by Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Station Construction in Tysons, Reston
Preliminary construction work is beginning near all five station sites: four in Tysons and one at Wiehle Avenue in Reston. Work is most visible  near the Wiehle Avenue Station in the middle of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway between Wiehle Avenue and Reston Parkway and at the Tysons East Station at Route 123 and Scotts Crossing Road near Capital One.



Wiehle Avenue Station construction in the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway.
Photo by Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Along the Dulles Connector Road & I-66
Along the Dulles Connector Road, near I-66, piers and caissons are sprouting up to support a flyover for the rail line from the Orange line to the Connector Road. Pile driving to support new bridges at Idylwood and Magarity Roads and Pimmit Run continue.

Rail construction trucks are using I-66 inside the Capital Beltway during restricted day and night hours. Up to 74 trucks per day will be allowed to the Lee Highway/Washington Boulevard exit to turn around and go westbound on I-66. For details, visit a www.dullesmetro.com.



Piers are being put in place at the intersection of the Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) and I-66.
Photo by Howard Menaker, Dulles Transit Partners.

###

The above photo was taken in the same area as this photo I took on 08 02 2009.



Dulles Connector Road just north of VA I-66

Newsletter in PDF format with maps. (1.05 MB PDF File)

[Sand Box John]

From Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail newsletter 12 07 2009



Construction of the future Wiehle Avenue Station, in the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway.
Photo by Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

Lane Shifts, Closings Continue During Holiday Season

Rail Construction Rolling Along From East Falls Church to Reston
Holiday shoppers in Tysons Corner face traffic pattern changes, particularly along Route 7, and are cautioned to watch for signs signaling those changes. Mid-block left turns are beginning to disappear. Left turns into the Marshalls shopping center have been eliminated.

Motorists should also watch for night work along roads leading to Route 7 and ramp closings at the Route 7 and Dulles Toll Road (Route 267)interchange. Near Pike 7 Plaza, on the south side of Route 7, crews are building retaining walls.

Increased day and night construction work will also force lane closings and shifts along the Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) and I-66.

Travelers using the Dulles International Airport Access Highway may experience  slowdowns east bound between Reston Parkway and Wiehle Avenue.

For detailed traffic alerts and advisories, visit www.dullesmetro.com

Free Midday Shuttle Begins in Tysons
Those who work or live in the core of Tysons Corner can now go to a favorite eatery, run errands or shop in the middle of the day without getting into their cars or spending any money.

The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is funding the new Tysons Connector shuttle bus service that will provide free rides to and from office buildings, condos and apartments, Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.

The service is operated by the Fairfax Connector bus system, using easily recognizable buses wrapped in orange, blue and white.  The services will have two routes serving different areas.

Tysons Connector 1 serves the Tysons-West*Park Transit Station on Jones Branch Drive, Spring Hill Road, Tysons Corner Center and Greensboro and International Drives.

Tysons Connector 2 serves the Tysons-West*Park Transit Station, Tysons Boulevard, Tysons Galleria, Tysons Corner Center, Park Run Drive (Harris Teeter), International and Jones Branch Drives.

The service is being provided to ease congestion during lunchtime, the "third rush hour" of every working day in Tysons Corner.

Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

For information, visit www.fairfaxconnector.com or call 703-339-7200.

Tysons Connector shuttle bus map

VDOT Installs Displays at Tysons Corner Center

Photo by Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

Shoppers at Tysons Corner Center can check out how traffic is moving before leaving the mall thanks to real-time travel information now displayed on screens near mall exits. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) installed the screens to arm travelers with the latest traffic and transit information while construction is under way on the Beltway HOT (high occupancy toll) Lanes and rail to Dulles.

Five 50-inch plasma television screens are now strategically placed throughout the shopping center. Information regarding bus routes and schedules is included in the revolving messages.

###

Newsletter in PDF format with maps. (610 KB PDF File)

[Sand Box John]

Went over to Northern Virginia this passed Sunday (01 02 2010).

A lot more is going on sense I was last over there.

All of the column for the flyover bridges north of VA I-66 are done with the exception of the two that are suppose to use the footer that were built in back in the 1970s.

The pile for the abutment footers at the north end flyover bridges are mostly complete.

Grading has commenced over the entire length of the Dulles Connector Road VA-267.

Construction has begun on the columns in the media of the Dulles Connector Road where elevated turns to the west along Dolley Madison Boulevard VA-123.

Grading and excavation has begun at the site of the Tyson East (WestGate) station.

The contractor doing the Capitol Beltway hot lanes project working coordination with Dulles Transit Partners has constructed one of the columns in the Capitol Beltway VA I-495 Dolley Madison Boulevard VA-123 interchange.

Shoring pile for the cut and cover tunnels on the north side of Leesburg Pike VA-7 east of the Pike 7 (Pike Seven Plaza) station are mostly complete.

Utility work is still being done along Leesburg Pike VA-7.

No ground work for the stations or elevated along Leesburg Pike VA-7 has begun yet.

Most of the activity along the Dulles Access road is happening between Hunter Mill Road and the tail tracks west of the Wiehle Avenue station

Slide show 47 pictures.