Old Dominion News

Lane reductions and traffic disruptions are set to affect northbound I-495 near Tysons, Virginia, starting tonight at 9 p.m. The closures will remain in effect until 5 a.m. on Monday, January 27. These measures are part of the "495 NEXT project's Big Beam Weekend," which involves significant construction work.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and consider alternate routes due to expected delays and backups. The lane changes will impact multiple ramps at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange, leading to detours throughout the weekend.

For those traveling on northbound 495 Express Lanes, there is a requirement to exit at Route 7/Leesburg Pike with an option to merge back onto northbound I-495 general-purpose lanes. All northbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes and diverted into the express lanes without toll charges, allowing trucks as well.

The full reopening of all four general-purpose lanes is scheduled for Lewinsville Road, located north of the Dulles Toll Road/Route 267. However, specific ramps from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway and westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495 will be closed and rerouted during this period. Despite these closures, the Dulles Airport Access Highway remains operational.

Southbound I-495 lanes, including both general purpose and express lanes, will stay open with normal tolling procedures in place for southbound express lanes.

The weekend's activities involve installing five lines of steel girders over northbound I-495 for a new express lanes ramp linked to the "495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project." This operation requires closing certain lanes due to safety concerns associated with handling large girders.

Travelers can access real-time updates through "511 Virginia" online or via its mobile app. Additional construction information is available on "495next.vdot.virginia.gov."