The traffic realignment will begin late Friday, with a phased closure of lanes on southbound I-495. By 8 p.m., the first lane will close, followed by a second at 9 p.m., and a third at 10 p.m. Only one lane will remain open for most of the night between the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Lewinsville Road. Between midnight and 5 a.m., drivers should expect intermittent full traffic stoppages or slow-moving operations. Officers will be present to guide traffic and ensure safety.
Lanes are scheduled to reopen beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, with all four southbound lanes expected to be in their new alignment by 10 a.m. If weather conditions delay the work, Saturday and Sunday nights have been reserved as backup dates. In that case, all lanes would reopen by 11 a.m. Sunday or by 6 a.m. Monday, depending on the rescheduled night.
As part of this phase, several key ramps will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday. These include the ramp from northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway to southbound I-495, the ramp from Georgetown Pike to southbound I-495, and the ramp from southbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike at Exit 44.
Drivers will be rerouted using signed detour routes. Those heading from northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway to southbound I-495 will exit to Georgetown Pike and follow signs back toward the Beltway. Those approaching from Georgetown Pike to southbound I-495 will be directed onto Balls Hill Road, then to Lewinsville Road, then onto Route 123 (Dolley Madison Boulevard), and back to the Beltway. For drivers traveling southbound on I-495 and attempting to exit at Georgetown Pike, the detour leads to northbound Route 123 at Exit 46B and back north on I-495 to reach the Georgetown Pike exit.
The completion of this shift will allow construction teams to begin work on the next phase of the I-495 Express Lanes project. Tasks include demolishing old bridge piers at Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike, and Old Dominion Drive, building new ramps, removing retired pavement from former center lanes, installing updated stormwater drainage systems, and integrating new tolling and traffic management technologies. Final paving, striping, and structural foundation work will also follow as part of the broader infrastructure modernization effort.
These changes are part of a comprehensive plan to reduce congestion, enhance traffic flow, and accommodate future growth in northern Virginia’s high-volume travel corridors. As with any large-scale road project, drivers are urged to stay informed about changing traffic conditions, follow posted signage, and plan their travel routes in advance to minimize disruptions.
Local commuters and regional travelers alike are advised to exercise caution while navigating through the construction zone. The success of this phase, like others before it, relies on cooperation between transportation authorities, construction personnel, and the public.
For those traveling during nighttime hours or early mornings this weekend, awareness and patience will be essential. This temporary inconvenience is intended to pave the way for long-term improvements that will serve the region well into the future.
