In the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project region, crews started implementing the first of two traffic shifts of all four lanes on southbound I-495 (Beltway Outer Loop) last night, Friday, June 27. The first phase involves moving southbound lanes of I-495 onto newly built lanes on the outer portion of the highway, from just north of George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to just south of Georgetown Pike. By 10 a.m. this morning (Saturday, June 28), all southbound lanes in this part of the Beltway have reopened in their new alignment after work started Friday night. In Maryland, the delays continued along I-270.
Drivers will utilize two distinct exits from southbound I-495 to reach Exit 43 for GWMP and Exit 44 for Georgetown Pike after this traffic shift, according to VDOT. Drivers will have two distinct exit sites directly off southbound I-495 for GWMP and Georgetown Pike, rather than taking the collector-distributor road that starts just south of the American Legion Bridge.
The Beltway segment from south of Georgetown Pike to north of the Dulles Corridor Interchange close to Old Dominion Drive will be the focus of the second phase of moving the southbound lanes to the new outer alignment, which is expected to start as early as Friday evening, July 11. For crews to access the center section of the Beltway in order to construct the new 495 Express Lanes, both of these traffic changes are required.
During the first of two traffic shifts on southbound I-495 (Outer Loop), which are planned for Friday evening, June 27, through Saturday morning, June 28, drivers can anticipate the following:
- Traffic on all four general-purpose lanes of southbound I-495 from just north of GWMP to just south of Georgetown Pike will be shifted onto new lanes built on the outer side of the Beltway.
- Implementation of this traffic shift will entail a single mobile lane closure beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday night, a second lane closing at 9 p.m., and three total lanes being closed by 10 p.m., on southbound I-495 between approximately GWMP and Lewinsville Road.
- One southbound lane on I-495 will remain open to traffic, except when intermittent total traffic stoppages and/or slow-roll traffic operations occur between midnight and 5 a.m. Police will be on hand to assist with directing motorists.
- Lanes will begin to reopen at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, with all four southbound lanes in the affected area in their new alignment by 10 a.m.
- Additionally, the ramps from southbound I-495 to GWMP (Exit 43) and Georgetown Pike (Exit 44), the ramp from GWMP to southbound I-495, and the ramp from Georgetown Pike to southbound I-495 will be closed and detoured from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday.
- If rescheduled for Saturday night, lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., with all lanes reopened in their new alignment by 10 a.m., Sunday.
- If rescheduled for Sunday night, lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., with all lanes reopened in their new alignment by no later than 6 a.m., Monday.
The new express lanes will be built in the Beltway’s center when both traffic shifts on southbound I-495 are finished. Among the construction-related activities will be:
- Demolishing old piers in the highway median for the replaced bridges at Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive
- Constructing new ramps
- Demolishing retired center lane pavement
- Installing new stormwater drainage
- Installing new tolling and traffic management system infrastructure
- Building the foundation, paving and striping the new express lanes
In May, northbound I-495 lanes in the 495 NEXT project region were moved to the Beltway’s new outer segment.
As they adjust to the newly oriented Beltway lanes and as construction increases in the middle section of the road, drivers are advised to reduce their speed, turn off any distractions, and drive more cautiously. Travelers should anticipate lane closures during off-peak hours, modified traffic patterns, and narrower lanes and shoulders while construction continues in this section of I-495.
The current 14-mile 495 Express Lanes will be extended from the area of the Dulles Corridor Interchange to the GWMP near the American Legion Bridge. The new 495 Express Lanes are still scheduled to open late this year. At GWMP and Dulles Toll Road, new ramps will allow access to express lanes.
Midway through 2026 is when the remaining project is expected to be finished, including the construction of a new bike and pedestrian trail and a new parking lot for Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.
All work is subject to weather conditions and may need to be rescheduled.
