Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation will soon begin construction to widen Route 28 in Centreville. This heavily traveled road will be increased from four to six lanes between the bridge over Bull Run (south of Compton Road) and the Route 29 Interchange.

Work is currently slated to start around March 1. The first stage of construction will include paving and strengthening portions of the existing shoulders along the entire length of the project. This work will be done as follows:

• In the southern portion of the project, between the bridge over Bull Run and the intersection of Route 28 and Old Mill Road/Green Trails Boulevard, construction will be completed along the outside (right) shoulder going southbound, and along * In the northern portion of the project, between the intersection of Route 28 and Old Mill Road/Green Trails Boulevard and the interchange at Route 29, work will be completed on the outside (right) in both the southbound and northbound directions.

In future construction stages, traffic will be shifted onto the newly paved shoulders to enable the widening to be accomplished with minimal impact to traffic flow during peak travel periods. Beginning this week, the contractor will install construction signs and message boards in advance of construction activities.

Drivers should expect delays and be on the lookout for temporary lane closures during off-peak hours for both the advance, construction-sign installation and shoulder-paving and strengthening work.

Temporary lane closures on Route 28 will be restricted from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., on Fridays. No lane closures will be allowed during peak travel periods and holidays.

Weekend and nighttime work activities aren’t currently planned during this stage of the project but are anticipated for future stages. All work is weather-dependent and will be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.

Besides widening Route 28, the fully funded $88.35 million project will also yield additional lanes on the side streets to ease traffic flow. It will improve intersection operations, as well, by upgrading existing traffic signals and improving bicycle and pedestrian crossings. Furthermore, new, 10-foot-wide, shared-use paths will be created on both sides of Route 28.the median (left) shoulder, heading north.