The 495 Express Lanes Extension is set to open on Sunday morning, November 23. The new section extends for two and a half miles from near the Dulles Corridor Interchange to just before the American Legion Bridge. It includes additional connecting ramps designed to improve traffic flow in the area.
To facilitate the opening, both mobile and stationary closures will take place on I-495’s general-purpose lanes and express lanes, as well as certain ramps within the 495 NEXT project corridor. These closures are scheduled between 8 p.m. Saturday, November 22, and 6 a.m. Sunday, November 23.
During this period, drivers can expect several changes:
On I-495’s general-purpose lanes from about 9 p.m. Saturday until approximately 2 a.m. Sunday:
– A single left lane closure on southbound I-495 from George Washington Memorial Parkway to Lewinsville Road Bridge.
– Mobile lane closures on southbound I-495 from River Road in Maryland to George Washington Memorial Parkway.
– A single left lane closure on northbound I-495 from Route 7 to George Washington Memorial Parkway.
On current 495 Express Lanes and entrance ramps from about 8 p.m. Saturday until approximately 6 a.m. Sunday:
– Northbound express lanes will close beginning north of Route 7 with all drivers detoured off at the Route 7 exit.
– Entry ramps to northbound express lanes from Westpark Drive and Scotts Crossing Road will be closed.
– The entry ramp to southbound express lanes from Dulles Toll Road will be closed.
– The northernmost exit from express lanes to northbound general-purpose lanes will close permanently.
– The northernmost entry from general-purpose lanes to southbound express lanes will also close permanently.
On the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) between about 9 p.m. Saturday and approximately 6 a.m. Sunday:
– The ramp from eastbound Dulles Access Road to eastbound Dulles Toll Road will be closed.
– Eastbound Dulles Toll Road ramp to northbound I-495 general-purpose lanes will be closed.
– There will be multi-lane closures on eastbound Dulles Toll Road near Route 7 up to I-495.
– Mobile lane closures are expected westbound near Kirby Road up to I-495 until about 2 a.m. Sunday.
On George Washington Memorial Parkway between about 9 p.m. Saturday and approximately 2 a.m. Sunday:
– Mobile closures along approaches leading toward northbound I-495 are planned.
Drivers are advised that an entry point is open when wayfinding signs become visible, toll pricing is active, and barriers have been removed. “Drivers should not attempt to access an entry that still appears closed or is in the process of opening,” according to officials. They further caution: “Drivers should use caution and expect new travel patterns, as traffic becomes acclimated with the new lanes and ramps.”
A factsheet with more information about navigating the extension is available here.
