Virginia State Route 7

Infobox road
state=VA
type=
route=7
length_mi=72
length_ref= [ [http://www.vahighways.com/route-log/va007-012.htm VA 7 to Former VA 12 ] ]
length_round=0
established=1933
direction_a=West
direction_b=East
starting_terminus=
junction= in Alexandria
ending_terminus=
previous_type=
previous_route=6
next_type=
next_route=8

State Route 7 is a major primary state highway and busy commuter route in Northern Virginia, United States. It travels northwest from State Route 400 (Washington Street) in downtown Alexandria to downtown Winchester. Its route largely parallels those of the Potomac River and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD Trail).

Route

City of Alexandria

Route 7 begins at the intersection of King Street and Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria, one quarter of a mile west of the Potomac River. It continues as King Street through Alexandria, passing by the city's King Street Metrorail station, Union Station (Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express), George Washington Masonic National Memorial and T. C. Williams High School. Route 7 then intersects Interstate 395 and briefly forms the border between the City of Alexandria and Arlington County before entering Fairfax County.

Fairfax County and City of Falls Church

Route 7 is known as Leesburg Pike throughout Fairfax County, where it is mainly a suburban route. It intersects State Route 244 (Columbia Pike) in Bailey's Crossroads. From there, it travels to Seven Corners, named for the seven roads that intersect, including U.S. Route 50, which is grade separated from the rest of the intersection.

After Seven Corners, Route 7 enters the city of Falls Church and becomes Broad Street. The road intersects U.S. Route 29 in the city's center and crosses the W&OD Trail in the city's west end.

Route 7 then re-enters Fairfax County and intersects Interstate 66 a half mile west of the West Falls Church–VT/UVA Metro station. It then intersects the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) in McLean and passes through Tysons Corner, where it intersects State Route 123 and State Route 267, the Dulles Access and Toll Roads. Route 7 continues through Fairfax County, passing by subdivisions and strip malls. The final interchange in Fairfax County is with the Fairfax County Parkway (State Route 7100) and Algonkian Parkway.

Loudoun County

Route 7 enters Loudoun County in Sterling as Harry F. Byrd Highway and widens to six lanes throughout the first half of the county. Route 7 passes by numerous subdivisions and strip malls before its interchange with State Route 28.

From there, Route 7 passes through Ashburn, across Goose Creek, and into Leesburg, the county seat of Loudoun County. Route 7 is planned as an eight-lane, limited access highway through this portion of the county. Currently, interchanges are under design for the signalized intersections at Loudoun County Parkway and Ashburn Village Boulevard. Additional interchanges are planned for the signalized intersections at Sycolin Road, Battlefield Parkway, and Belmont Ridge Road.

In Leesburg, Route 7 splits into a business route and bypass. The bypass merges with the U.S. Route 15 bypass around the southern half of the town, while the business route passes through the town and intersects Business 15 at the county court house in downtown Leesburg.

Business and Bypass 7 meet on the western side of Leesburg, and continues into rural western Loudoun as a four-lane divided highway with some at-grade intersections before its interchange with Route 9. After passing through Clarke's Gap in Catoctin Mountain, Route 7 has an interchange with State Route 9 in Paeonian Springs . The interchange is the southern terminus of Route 9, as well as the eastern terminus of another Business Route 7. Business Route 7 serves the towns of Hamilton, Purcellville, and Round Hill. The bypass maintains a 55 mph speed limit as a divided limited-access highway.

After Round Hill, Route 7 is no longer a limited-access highway, but maintains a 55 mph speed limit. As the road approaches the western edge of the county, it curves around a corner of West Virginia, passes through the town of Bluemont (formerly Snickersville), meets the Snickersville Turnpike and climbs the Blue Ridge, passing through Snickers Gap.

Clarke County

Route 7 crosses the Loudoun-Clarke County line and the Appalachian Trail at the summit of Snickers Gap in the Blue Ridge. The highway keeps its name as Harry Byrd Highway and its four lanes. It crosses the Shenandoah River, and passes to the north of Berryville, once again splitting into business and bypass routes. At Berryville, Route 7 has an interchange with U.S. Route 340. Route 7 crosses Opequon Creek and continues to Frederick County.

Frederick County and City of Winchester

Route 7 enters Frederick County and changes names to Berryville Pike. The four-lane highway continues across Interstate 81, into the city of Winchester. Route 7 continues through the east end of the city into downtown, and ends downtown at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 522.

Intersections

In addition to numerous at-grade intersections, Route 7 has off-level interchanges with the following routes::†Not located within the city, but near it or in its postal city.

As of 2006, other interchanges are either planned or under construction to accommodate population growth in Loudoun County.

Route 7 splits into business and bypass routes three times in Loudoun County: Leesburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill.

West of Interstate 395, Route 7 is part of the National Highway System.

References