VDOT News - Northern Virginia

Closure needed to accommodate 495 NEXT construction; crews to restripe and realign general purpose travel lanes

FAIRFAX- The Green Arrow/Red X left-shoulder lane on northbound I-495 (the Capital Beltway) in Virginia, which is open during morning and afternoon peak travel periods from where the current I-495 Express Lanes end near the Dulles Access Road to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, will close permanently as early as May 31, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The closure of this shoulder lane is necessary to make space in the center of the Beltway for construction of new bridges that will span the wider, future Beltway at Old Dominion Drive, Georgetown Pike and Live Oak Drive. The work is part of the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project to extend the existing 495 Express Lanes from the Dulles Corridor interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway near the American Legion Bridge.

In addition to the left-shoulder lane closing, other changes include:

• Closing the southbound center shoulder;
• Restriping and realigning the general purpose lanes to create additional space in the center of I-495;
• Placing temporary barriers to secure the center work zone for the safety of drivers and workers.

Periodic lane closures are required to complete this work, but will be scheduled during non-peak travel hours. Travelers approaching the construction area should anticipate delays and plan accordingly. Prior to this upcoming closure, VDOT will inform the traveling public via roadway signs, news releases, social media posts, and email updates and outreach to directly-affected stakeholders.

Additionally, VDOT and its 495 NEXT project partner, Transurban, along with the design-build contractor, Lane Construction, will host two project update meetings for the public in early June. The meetings, one in-person and one virtual, will enable the project team to update the public about project design and construction updates, and answer questions. Meeting details are:

In-Person Meeting
Monday, June 6, 2022
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 7 p.m.)
Langley High School Auditorium 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean VA 22101

Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)
Visit 495NEXT.org/public_meetings for details on how to join the meeting

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