LEESBURG, VA — State and local partners recently broke ground on a new interchange and other improvements to East Market Street (Route 7) that will increase capacity, improve safety and traffic flow and provide new options for cyclists and pedestrians.

The project includes replacing the traffic signal at East Market Street and Battlefield Parkway in Leesburg with a grade-separated interchange, removing the signal and modifying the intersection just west on Route 7 at Cardinal Park Drive, adding auxiliary lanes on eastbound Route 7 between the Leesburg Bypass and River Creek Parkway and building a new shared-use path and sidewalk along Battlefield Parkway.

“With our funding partners Loudoun County, the town of Leesburg and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, we are excited to be delivering another project that improves travel for all users,” said Helen Cuervo, PE, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Northern Virginia District Engineer. “Close to 100,000 vehicles travel through this intersection each day, and eliminating two signals with this project means that drivers will have a signal-free trip between Leesburg and Sterling.”

“The town is delighted to have work begin on this very important project,” said Kelly Burk, mayor of the Town of Leesburg. “We look forward to its completion and the traffic congestion relief it will bring to the area. While we know the construction phase will be long and have its challenges, the town will be working hand-in-hand with VDOT to minimize the impacts.”

“We are grateful for the work of our partners at NVTA, VDOT, the Town of Leesburg as well as our county staff in getting this crucial project off the ground,” said Phyllis Randall, Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. “The opening of this interchange will finally allow traffic to flow freely between Leesburg and Route 28, which will relieve congestion along this major corridor for Loudoun commuters.”

“Regional collaboration and investing in regional transportation solutions such as this are critical to improving mobility throughout Northern Virginia, including Route 7, a highly-traveled artery connecting major population and employment centers in a region that continues to see rapid growth,” said Martin E. Nohe, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and Prince William County’s Coles District Supervisor.

During construction, drivers can expect off-peak lane closures along Route 7. Beginning in fall 2020, Battlefield Parkway will be closed between Russell Branch Parkway and the Marketplace at Potomac Station shopping center entrance for about ten months; traffic will be detoured via Fort Evans Road to the north and Russell Branch Parkway and Crosstrail Boulevard to the south. The entire project is scheduled for completion in fall 2021.

Wagman/Parsons is the contractor for the $59.6-million design-build contract. The project’s total cost, about $77.3 million, includes federal, state, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Loudoun County and Town of Leesburg funds.