Route 277 Fairfax Pike Widening Wins ACEC Virginia Merit Award

Company News | February 15, 2024

Staunton, VA – AMT received the American council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC/VA) Engineering Excellence Merit Award for the Route 277 Fairfax Pike Widening project in Frederick County. It is a major artery serving the Town of Stephens City, the residents of Frederick County, regional and national visitors to the Virginia Tech Memorial. Route 277 is a primary state highway located between Route 11 in Stephens City, Virginia, with the I-81 Exit 307 interchange located nearby and extends to the intersection Routes 340 and 522 in Frederick/Clarke County, known as Double Tollgate.

Prior to completion of the Route 277 Fairfax Pike Widening project, the original road was a two-lane road with turn lanes that were added as property parcels which were rezoned and developed with a patchwork of turn lanes with multiple commercial entrances. The corridor had significant congestion, especially during peak hours particularly with the nearby I-81 interchange at Exit 307 and Aylor Road just east of the north bound ramps. The existing highly developed road had several signalized intersections too close together to move traffic efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the multiple commercial entrances with full access created delays and crashes.

AMT provided full-time Construction Engineering Inspection (CEI) throughout the duration of the project. The AMT team were involved early by assisting with project administration and relocation of utilities and building structures that were in conflict with the planned project improvements before construction started. Through coordination and constant communication with the VDOT Utilities group, the project utilities were successfully moved out of the way just in time to avoid time delays and conflicts during the construction phase. In conjunction with VDOT, the AMT team developed an established solid partnering relationship with the prime contractor on the project. The team successfully developed and implemented two (2) value engineering proposals that resulted in a cost savings which subsequently sped up construction and minimized disruption of traffic during construction. AMT staff supported the VDOT staff through the entire project work and during the project closeout phase.

The purpose of this $18.2 million project was to widen Route 277 (Fairfax Pike) to four (4) lanes with a median to provide additional traffic capacity, increase operational safety, and improve the regional roadway system’s connectivity for approximately half of a mile in the heavily congested roadway segment in Stephens City. The Route 277 widening included new traffic signals and turn lanes at several intersections, improved stormwater management, pedestrian safety with ADA compliance, sidewalk, and a shared use path. Improved traffic flow is what the public has noticed with the completed project improvements along the widened Route 277 and the relocated Aylor Road. Additionally, Sherando High School, Bass-Hoover Elementary School and Aylor Middle School have received benefits of better traffic flow after construction. The project improvements also help to expand access just east of the project to which serves many residential communities and Sherando Park.

The project was completed six (6) months ahead of schedule with the road fully opened to traffic in summer 2022. The planned design goals of improving traffic flow, alleviating peak congestion, and providing safer merge points in and out of Stephens City along this crucial route established the tone for commitment and execution for all future Route 277 and neighboring I-81 improvements in the Staunton District. Improved traffic flow is what the public has immediately noticed on the widening of Route 277 and relocation of Aylor Road.