Crews are set to begin the first of two traffic shifts on southbound I-495, also known as the Beltway Outer Loop, within the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project area. The shift is scheduled for Friday night, June 27. This phase will move all four lanes from just north of George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to just south of Georgetown Pike onto newly constructed outer lanes. The work will start Friday night, and all southbound lanes in this section will reopen in their new alignment by 10 a.m. Saturday morning, June 28. In case of bad weather or other delays, Saturday and Sunday nights are reserved as backup dates.
Following this shift, drivers will have separate exits from southbound I-495 for GWMP (Exit 43) and Georgetown Pike (Exit 44). Motorists will no longer use the collector-distributor road that starts just south of the American Legion Bridge but instead have direct exit points.
The second phase is planned for as early as Friday night, July 11. It involves shifting the Beltway lanes from south of Georgetown Pike to north of the Dulles Corridor Interchange near Old Dominion Drive. These shifts are necessary for crews to access the center portion of the Beltway to construct new express lanes.
During the first shift from June 27 through June 28, traffic on all four general-purpose lanes from just north of GWMP to just south of Georgetown Pike will move to new outer-side lanes. The implementation includes a single mobile lane closure starting at 8 p.m., with additional closures following at 9 p.m., and three total lane closures by 10 p.m., between approximately GWMP and Lewinsville Road.
One lane will remain open except during intermittent total stoppages or slow-roll operations between midnight and 5 a.m., with police assistance available for motorists. Lanes will begin reopening at 6 a.m. Saturday with full alignment by 10 a.m.
Ramps from southbound I-495 to GWMP (Exit 43) and Georgetown Pike (Exit 44), along with ramps from these locations back to I-495, will be closed and detoured from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday. If rescheduled for Saturday or Sunday nights due to weather, closures would similarly start at 8 p.m., with reopening in their new alignment by either Sunday at 10 a.m. or Monday at no later than 6 a.m.
Once both shifts are complete on southbound I-495, crews will focus on constructing new express lanes in the center area of the Beltway. Activities include demolishing old piers for replaced bridges at Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike, and Old Dominion Drive; constructing new ramps; removing retired center lane pavement; installing stormwater drainage; setting up tolling systems; and paving and striping new express lanes.
Northbound I-495 lanes within the project area were shifted in May. Drivers are advised to exercise caution while adjusting to these changes and expect narrowed lanes and shoulders along with pattern adjustments during non-peak hours as construction continues.
The project aims to open the new express lanes late this year extending them from near Dulles Corridor Interchange to GWMP near American Legion Bridge with new access ramps at Dulles Toll Road and GWMP.
The remaining work including completing a bike-pedestrian trail and parking area for Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is expected by mid-2026. All work schedules depend on weather conditions which may necessitate rescheduling if needed.
For traffic updates visit VA511 online or call from any phone in Virginia. For construction details check out vdot’s official site.
