Lane and ramp closures are scheduled for northbound I-495 in the Tysons-McLean area beginning Friday night, September 12, at 9 p.m. and continuing until approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 14. The closures will affect the section of I-495 between Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). Triple lane closures and ramp detours will take place on Friday and Saturday nights, with a single lane closure planned throughout Saturday.
These closures are required for crews working on the 495 NEXT project to shift general purpose lanes into their final alignment and reopen right-hand shoulders through much of the corridor. The ramp from northbound I-495 to westbound Dulles Toll Road (DTR) (Exit 45) will also be reopened at its permanent location, about one-third of a mile north of the current temporary exit used during construction. If there is inclement weather or other delays, work will be rescheduled for the following weekend.
The schedule is as follows:
From 9 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday: A single lane closure will begin at 9 p.m., increasing to three closed lanes by 10 p.m., from Leesburg Pike to north of GWMP near the American Legion Memorial Bridge. Three lanes will reopen by 8 a.m. The ramp from eastbound DTR to northbound I-495 (Exit 18B) will be closed and detoured, and crews will shift the entry point of the ramp from northbound I-495 to westbound DTR (Exit 45).
From 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: The far-right lane of northbound I-495 from north of Lewinsville Road overpass to GWMP will be closed, but access to exits remains available.
From 9 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday: A single lane closure starts at 9 p.m., expanding to three closed lanes by 10 p.m., again from Leesburg Pike to north of GWMP near the American Legion Memorial Bridge. All four lanes are expected open by Sunday morning at 9 a.m. All ramps connecting with northbound I-495 between Route 123 and GWMP will close in staggered fashion overnight as work is completed; these include connections with Dolley Madison Boulevard, both directions of Dulles Toll Road, Georgetown Pike, and GWMP.
Motorists are advised that backups and delays are likely during this period and should consider alternate routes or allow extra travel time if passing through this area.
After this weekend’s work, drivers coming from eastbound Dulles Toll Road onto northbound I-495 will temporarily have less distance available for merging into traffic than usual.
VDOT reports that construction crews are now working day and night directly adjacent to both directions of I-495 as part of the ongoing project in partnership with Transurban. In response, VDOT has launched a public education campaign called “Closer Than You Think,” using radio and social media ads to remind drivers that workers are operating very close to traffic lanes and urging caution.
“When traveling through work zones, drivers are reminded to always slow down, eliminate distractions, and pay attention to signs about closures and detours.”
Traffic updates can be found online at https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/, via the free mobile app or by calling “511” within Virginia anytime.
For further information about construction activities or lane closures related to this project visit https://495next.vdot.virginia.gov/.
