The scheduled opening of local lanes for Route 3 traffic entering Interstate 95 northbound in Fredericksburg has been postponed to occur early Friday, Nov. 17.
Additional time is needed Thursday evening and early Friday morning to finish paving the new connection between the Route 3 on-ramp and the new local lanes of I-95 northbound. A piece of paving equipment experienced mechanical issues, slowing construction overnight.
The I-95 northbound local lanes will open for entering Route 3 traffic by 4:30 a.m. Friday.
During the day Thursday, three lanes of I-95 northbound will remain open in the Fredericksburg area at the Rappahannock River.
The new decision point is open for travelers exiting I-95 northbound to exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford County for Route 17 northbound or Route 17 Business.
Northbound motorists exiting to Route 17 should follow overhead signs and message boards directing them to exit before the Rappahannock River, just north of the Fall Hill Avenue overpass in Fredericksburg. Traffic exiting to Route 17 merges into the local lanes, which are open north of Route 3 using the original northbound Rappahannock River bridge. Once in the local lanes, travelers can access the off-ramp for exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford north of the Rappahannock River.
Starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, I-95 and ramp lane closures will be needed overnight to finish shifting Route 3 entering traffic into the local lanes. Details include:
9 p.m. – Single I-95 northbound lane closed
10 p.m. – Brief, intermittent stops will occur at the on-ramp from Route 3 to I-95 northbound, but this ramp will not close
4:30 a.m. Friday – All local and through lanes of I-95 northbound will be open
By 4:30 a.m. Friday, drivers entering I-95 northbound from Route 3 in Fredericksburg will flow directly into the local lanes. After crossing the Rappahannock River, traffic in the local lanes can choose to take the off-ramp for exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) or can continue north on I-95. The I-95 local and through lanes merge together north of exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton).
Watch simulation videos demonstrating the new traffic pattern and decision points at Improve95.org.
Route 3 Travelers: Temporary Access Change to Northbound 95 Express Lanes
When the local lanes fully open by 4:30 a.m. Friday, access to enter the northbound 95 Express Lanes will change temporarily for motorists who enter I-95 northbound from Route 3 in Fredericksburg.
Traffic entering I-95 northbound from Route 3 will flow directly into the new local lanes and will be separated by barrier from the through lanes.
By mid-December, a new flyover ramp is anticipated to open north of exit 133 connecting the local lanes with northbound 95 Express Lanes.
Until this flyover ramp opens, for drivers entering I-95 from Route 3 or Route 17 using the new local lanes, the first entrance to access the northbound 95 Express Lanes will be north of the exit 140 (Courthouse Road) interchange in Stafford.
Through travelers can continue to use a left slip ramp to enter northbound 95 Express Lanes just north of the Rappahannock River, near exit 133.
No changes will occur for southbound 95 Express Lanes travelers. Motorists may continue to exit from 95 Express Lanes using the southernmost exit after exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) in Stafford.
By mid-December, all additional new access points to and from 95 Express Lanes will open that were built as part of the recent 10-mile extension of the lanes in the Fredericksburg area. New access includes a reversible ramp from Old Courthouse Road near exit 140 (Courthouse Road) and ramps near exit 148 (Quantico).
Construction Continues through Spring 2024
Construction on the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing project will continue through May 2024, with a focus on the Route 17 area in Stafford. Crews will finish building turn lanes, installing sidewalk and drainage systems.
To provide the highest quality of pavement achievable, crews are waiting for warmer temperatures next year to finish paving the Route 17 corridor.
When construction is finished, the final traffic pattern in this area will include:
- Third right turn lane from I-95 southbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound
- Dual left turn lanes from northbound Route 17 to Sanford Drive
- Right turn only lane from northbound Route 17 to South Gateway Drive
- Restored third Route 17 northbound through travel lane
Click here to see the ultimate traffic configuration on Route 17.
Additional information and driver simulation videos for the new traffic patterns can be found at Improve95.org/locals.
Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic and other incidents on 511Virginia.
Download the free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.
