August 16, 2024

What's Happening?

Traffic is scheduled to be shifted onto newly-constructed bridges over I-495 (Capital Beltway), as part of the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project. Traffic is scheduled to be shifted onto the new Live Oak Drive Bridge as early as Friday night, Aug. 16, followed by the shifting of all Georgetown Pike lanes to a new northern portion of the Georgetown Pike Bridge on the weekend of Aug. 23-26. Community-impactful overnight demolition of the old bridges will follow each traffic shift, creating temporary noisy work.

Preparing for the bridge openings is requiring ongoing day- and nighttime paving work, demolition of existing asphalt and concrete, and installation of new traffic signals, lane markings, signage and traffic barriers.

To enable the new Georgetown Pike bridge to open, all Beltway ramps will be closed with detours in place and the bridge will be narrowed from five to two lanes with one lane only remaining open in each direction from 9 p.m. on Friday, August 23, through 5 a.m. on Monday, August 26. Due to expected backups and delays, motorists are urged to avoid the Georgetown Pike Interchange area during what has been designated a “Stay Away Weekend.”  

Day and night asphalt installation is occurring on Georgetown Pike approaching the Beltway bridge and on interchange ramps, similar to the asphalt installation for the new outside lanes of northbound I-495 (July 2024). 

Immediately following the new bridge openings, crews will demolish the old bridges. With demolition occurring above the Beltway, for safety reasons, multiple lanes must be closed on the Beltway, which can only occur during overnight hours (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) when traffic is lightest. Demolition of the old Georgetown Pike Bridge will commence immediately following demolition of the old Live Oak Drive Bridge, with the overall duration of bridge demolition anticipated to be approximately two months. 

What Neighbors Should Expect:

Neighbors in the proximity of the two bridges may experience construction impacts over approximately the next two months including:

• Noise from jackhammers, saws and hydraulic jaws that will be used to demolish the concrete bridge decks.
• Noise from back-up alarms (required for safety reasons).
• Light pollution from light towers that enable crews to perform work efficiently and safely.

What Motorists Should Expect:



Georgetown Pike Bridge “Stay Away” Weekend Traffic Shift Planned for August 23-26

• Closures are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, with all lanes on Georgetown Pike reopened and shifted onto the new northern section of the bridge, and all Beltway ramps reopened, by no later than 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26.
• Travelers are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Georgetown Pike interchange and take alternate routes to avoid expected congestion and backups.
• If travel is necessary, drivers should plan additional time and expect delays.
• Drivers affected by the Beltway ramp closures should slow down, use caution and follow the signed detour routes.

Resources:

Learn how various features of the 495 NEXT project interact with your property by utilizing the interactive map by clicking here. Enter your address and use the field chooser to view your home in relation to various project features, including the future Beltway itself and the location of replacement noise walls.

Check 495NEXT.vdot.virginia.gov for the latest construction updates and to sign up to receive the project newsletter and other information.

Construction plans are subject to change due to weather, utility relocations performed by outside companies, resequencing of work to facilitate on-time completion of the overall project, and other factors.

Questions?

Email: 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov

Call: Construction Inquiry Line, 703-592-6430

Virginia Department of Transportation, Michelle Holland, 703-586-0487

Transurban, Amanda Allen, 571-249-8784

Lane Construction, John Undeland, 703-785-3461