Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

In 1938, a vision took root. The United States Congress, recognizing the growing need for dedicated highway research, acquired a vast 581-acre plot of land in McLean, Virginia. This land was destined to become the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. But the road to its creation was not without detours. The outbreak of World War II in 1941 brought construction to a screeching halt. Funding remained scarce after the war, delaying the project further. It wasn’t until 1950 that the first two buildings, occupying a mere 44 acres of the original purchase, were finally ready. The Bureau of Public Roads moved in, and the site was christened the Langley Research Station. The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center began to take shape. In 1963, the site was renamed the Fairbank Highway Research Station to honor Herbert S. Fairbank, a key figure in the Bureau of Public Roads. Some of the original land was transferred to other entities like the CIA, National Park Service, and the State of Virginia. The research continued, and by the late 1960s, the need for expansion became evident. Construction of a third building commenced in 1980. Upon its completion in 1983, this building was dedicated to Francis C. Turner, the first Federal Highway Administration Administrator to dedicate his entire career to the agency. The entire research station was then renamed the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. The Turner Building added a significant 80,000 square feet of laboratory, office, and support space. Today, the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center boasts numerous indoor and outdoor laboratories. Around 300 federal employees, contractors, and students contribute to the ongoing research, pushing the boundaries of highway innovation and shaping the future of transportation.