VDOT plans Route 50/Manchester intersection improvements
The Virginia Department of Transportation is planning intersection improvements on Arlington Boulevard at Manchester Street in the Seven Corners area.
The improvements include:
- Extending the westbound Route 50 left-turn lane to southbound Manchester Street from 230 feet to 500 feet.
- Extending the eastbound Route 50 left-turn lane to northbound Manchester Street from 75 feet to 175 feet.
- Minimal widening along eastbound Arlington Boulevard just beyond the Manchester Street intersection. This might affect existing utilities, trees, and a slope – possibly requiring a retaining wall.
VDOT invites the community to a virtual meeting on this project on Feb. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Register for the meeting here.
To listen to the meeting without registering, call 631-992-3221. The access code is 629-400-234. Comments can be submitted to [email protected]. Use “Route 50 Left-Turn Lane Extensions at Manchester Street” in the subject line.
The intersection is in Arlington County just across the border from Fairfax County.
According to VDOT, extending the eastbound and westbound Route 50 left-turn lanes would minimize the potential for left turns extending out of the left-turn lane. It would also minimize the potential for through-vehicles blocking access to the left-turn lane.
A public hearing on the design will be scheduled in late 2025. Right-of-way acquisition would begin in early 2027. Utility relocation would start in late 2027, and construction would begin in mid-2029.
The estimated cost of the project is $3.9 million. Funding comes from federal and state sources, including Smart Scale.
The improvements are based on recommendations from a 2022 STARS study of the Manchester Street intersection. STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) is a VDOT program that develops comprehensive, cost-effective multimodal transportation improvements to address congestion and safety challenges.
