The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on April 2 that all eastbound lanes on the Georgetown Pike Bridge over Interstate 495 in McLean will be shifted onto the newly built southern portion of the bridge on or about Monday night, April 6, weather permitting. This work is part of the ongoing I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, which involves construction and improvements to several bridges in the area.
The traffic shift is expected to affect travel between 10 p.m. Monday, April 6 and 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 7. During this time, multiple lane closures will occur on both eastbound and westbound sides of the bridge with traffic managed by flaggers and police present to direct vehicles. Ramps from northbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike (Exit 44) and from Georgetown Pike to southbound I-495 will also be closed temporarily with signed detours provided for drivers.
Following this shift, crews plan to build a center median for the bridge, add a new sidewalk on its north side, and complete a bicycle and pedestrian shared-use trail along its south side. Additional final work includes paving, installing permanent signals and signage, with periodic lane closures anticipated until completion later in spring. Once finished, the new bridge will offer six travel lanes—three in each direction—and improved access for cyclists and pedestrians.
Beyond these activities at Georgetown Pike Bridge, remaining work under the $660 million public-private partnership project includes constructing a parking lot near Balls Hill Road for Scott’s Run Nature Preserve visitors; completing a shared-use trail stretching from Lewinsville Road to Live Oak Drive; final paving along nearby roads; rehabilitating existing I-495 overpasses connecting with George Washington Memorial Parkway; as well as revegetation throughout the corridor.
According to the official website, Virginia Department of Transportation oversees planning, building and maintaining roads across one of America’s largest state highway systems—spanning tens of thousands of lane-miles—with headquarters located at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond. The agency provides services such as highway maintenance and real-time traffic updates through systems like Virginia 511.
Construction began in March 2022 with express lanes set to open by November 2025; full project completion is scheduled for mid-2026 according to VDOT’s timeline.
