One of northern Virginia’s most congested commuter corridors is finally getting some additional capacity, with the start of construction on a $79.5 million widening project for State Route 28 in Fairfax County.

Shirley Contracting Co., lead contractor for the design-build project will add a travel lane in each direction along the existing 2.3-mile, four-lane highway between the U.S. Route 29 interchange and Bull Run at the Prince William County line. Along with incorporating provisions for further expansion in the future, the project will also upgrade five signalized intersections and install soundwalls alongside adjacent residential areas.