Old Dominion News

The planned shift of the collector ramp from the northwest George Washington Memorial Parkway to southbound I-495 and Georgetown Pike Exit 44 has been rescheduled. Initially set for April 11, the realignment will now occur from the night of April 16 until the early morning of April 17.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), this adjustment aligns the ramp parallel to southbound I-495 between GWMP and Georgetown Pike. The change is intended to enhance merging for drivers in the area and accommodate an expanded Beltway, facilitating the upcoming 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension.

When the transition happens, vehicles exiting the northwest GWMP towards southbound I-495 will utilize a new ramp on the Beltway’s outer edge. Those staying on southbound I-495 should remain in the right lane, merging south of the Georgetown Pike Bridge. For drivers heading to Georgetown Pike (Exit 44), the left lanes of the ramp will be the designated route.

The ramp shift will require crews to start the operation from 9:30 p.m. on April 16, with temporary traffic stoppages of up to 30 minutes expected after midnight. During this period, traffic will be moved to the new ramp, followed by a slow-roll operation.

A subsequent adjustment planned for the night of April 15 will also involve directing southbound I-495 traffic from the collector road onto the newly aligned ramp. This requires exiting left for Georgetown Pike or right for southbound I-495, a reversal of the current setup.

VDOT advises drivers to exercise caution and heed road signs during this changeover. In case of adverse weather conditions or other delays, there could be additional postponements.

For continuous updates on traffic, work zones, or incidents, resources such as 511.vdot.virginia.gov, the 511Virginia mobile app, or the 511 phone service are available for Virginia residents. Additionally, the website 495next.vdot.virginia.gov provides information on constructions and lane closures.