Traffic on the George Washington Memorial Parkway is set to experience a shift starting late Thursday night as road crews work on a new ramp alignment. The changes will affect the section of the parkway leading to southbound I-495 and Georgetown Pike (Exit 44). The ramp realignment is scheduled to occur between 9:30 p.m. on April 17 and 5 a.m. the following morning, April 18. The realigned ramp will run parallel to southbound I-495, which aims to enhance the merging process for vehicles entering and exiting the Beltway. This adjustment is part of the broader strategy to accommodate the expansion required by the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension.
Come Friday morning, drivers can expect the following adjustments when exiting the northwest GWMP: Those transitioning to southbound I-495 will use a newly designated ramp on the outer edge of the Beltway. Motorists remaining on southbound I-495 should merge onto the highway just south of the Georgetown Pike Bridge by keeping to the right lane of the ramp. Conversely, those heading towards Georgetown Pike (Exit 44) will need to stay in the left lanes to make the exit.
Tonight, road crews intend to implement this shift from 9:30 p.m., aiming to acclimate the traffic to the new ramp layout located to the right of the existing southbound I-495 lanes. In doing so, a temporary total traffic stoppage will occur shortly after midnight, lasting up to thirty minutes, allowing the new ramp to open and the current slip ramp from the GWMP collector road to close. Following this, there will be a slow-roll operation to guide vehicles onto the new path.
An additional traffic shift is planned for April 23. It will redirect southbound I-495 traffic utilizing the collector road onto the newly aligned ramp. This adjustment will require drivers to exit left for Georgetown Pike and right for southbound I-495, reversing the current direction of travel.
Drivers are encouraged to navigate cautiously and follow all road signs as they adjust to these traffic pattern changes. There may be delays or rescheduling due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
For ongoing updates regarding traffic, work zones, and incidents, resources like the 511 VDOT Virginia website, the free 511Virginia mobile app, or the Virginia 511 hotline are available anytime. Additionally, construction and lane closure information can be accessed through 495next.vdot.virginia.gov.
