ASHBURN, Va. — Until now there’s been a Gloucester Parkway in Ashburn and a Gloucester Parkway in Sterling. Thursday at noon, that changes.

In a county that has grown quickly, with brand-new neighborhoods spread through its 521 square miles, connecting the dots sometimes takes time.

A new 0.8-mile stretch of the four-lane Gloucester Parkway opens Thursday, running from Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn to Va. 28 in Sterling.

The east-west route crosses Broad Run, and will provide relief to commuters who frequent Waxpool Road and Route 28.

Loudoun County prioritized and paid for the stretch of road, which provides a new east-west link.

“Because the Gloucester Parkway intersection is so important to Loudoun commuters, the county government, with state and private developers and land owners, worked collaboratively to accelerate construction of this critically important project,” Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall said in a statement.

The project includes intersection improvements at Loudoun County Parkway and Pacific Boulevard, in addition to sidewalk and trail upgrades.