Sterling’s W&OD Overpass Is Under Construction: What Trail Users Should Know

Cover: archival W&OD Trail photo near Ashburn, west of Smith Switch Road, August 2006—not the Sterling Boulevard construction site. Photo by DXPG / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Original photo uploaded without alteration; display may be cropped by the site.

The W&OD crossing at Sterling Boulevard is getting a bridge, but trail users still need to navigate the road-level crossing during construction. Loudoun County’s current project information describes a temporary connector-trail arrangement and an estimated spring 2028 construction completion.

This is an update on an ongoing project, not a newly announced opening. Here is what matters for your next ride, walk or neighborhood visit.

What is being built?

The project will carry the W&OD over Sterling Boulevard, also known as Route 846. The county says the bridge will separate trail users from roadway traffic and replace the existing at-grade crossing. See the county project page.

How do you cross during construction?

The county’s August 4 notice announced a shift beginning the week of August 10, 2026. Connector trails on both sides run parallel to the W&OD and lead users to the existing crosswalk. The county says this temporary alignment will remain during overpass construction. Follow the posted route rather than assuming an old map reflects conditions on the ground.

Slow down approaching the work area, watch for other users and construction activity, and follow signs and detours. The county notice includes a link to the connector-trail map.

When will the bridge be finished?

The county estimates substantial completion in spring 2028. That is a construction estimate, not a guaranteed public opening date. Before planning around a finished bridge, look for a specific announcement that it is open for use.

Plan the whole outing

NOVA Parks describes the W&OD as a 45-mile paved route between Shirlington and Purcellville. Its published hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Check the operator’s current alerts for the section you plan to use, especially if a trip extends beyond Sterling.

For a new route, decide your turnaround point and how you will get back before setting out. A project map answers where a connector runs; it does not establish how long your entire outing will take. Leave room in the plan for changing work-zone conditions.

What this means when comparing Sterling homes

If trail access is part of your home search, test the route from the individual property. Where would you enter the trail? Which streets would you cross first? Is that a trip you would comfortably make on the days and at the times you expect to go?

Keep the existing route and the future bridge separate in your comparison. A planned improvement may be appealing, but the home still needs to work for your daily routine during construction. This project alone does not establish a home-price premium or predict future values.

Thinking about selling nearby? Start with a home-value estimate, then contact our team to discuss your property and timing.

Five useful FAQs

Where is the project?

At the W&OD Trail crossing of Sterling Boulevard in Loudoun County.

Is the new bridge open?

The reviewed county materials describe construction in progress, not an open bridge.

Do trail users still cross at street level?

Yes. The published temporary arrangement uses connector trails and the existing crosswalk.

Is spring 2028 guaranteed?

No. The county identifies it as an estimated substantial-completion period.

Where should I check before visiting?

Check the county project updates and NOVA Parks’ trail alerts, then follow the signs at the work area.

Looking for a home that fits your outdoor routine?

Tell the Chris Colgan Team where you work, how you spend your weekends and which destinations you want to reach regularly. We can help compare Sterling and nearby communities using specific properties and practical routes. Contact the team or call/text 571-437-7575.

About Chris Colgan

Chris is a lifelong Northern Virginian with more than two decades of real estate experience. He leads the Chris Colgan Team at Real Broker, LLC, powered by PLACE, helping buyers and sellers compare neighborhoods and plan their next move.

Chris Colgan
Team Leader | Chris Colgan Team
Real Broker, LLC | Powered by PLACE
Call/text: 571-437-7575
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