The long-anticipated 495 Express Lanes Extension is set to open Sunday morning, Nov. 23, adding two and a half miles of new express lanes from the Dulles Corridor Interchange to just south of the American Legion Bridge. The opening will also introduce several new connecting ramps intended to improve traffic flow in one of the region’s most congested corridors.
To complete the transition into service, VDOT and Transurban will implement a series of overnight lane closures, mobile operations, ramp shutdowns, and detours beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday and continuing through 6 a.m. Sunday.
General-purpose lane impacts:
Between 9 p.m. Saturday and roughly 2 a.m. Sunday, drivers on both sides of I-495 will encounter single-lane closures and mobile operations between River Road, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Route 7, and Lewinsville Road.
Express Lanes impacts:
From 8 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, the current northbound 495 Express Lanes will close north of Route 7, with all traffic detoured at the Route 7 exit. Several entry ramps—including those from Westpark Drive, Scotts Crossing Road, and the Dulles Toll Road—will be closed. Two existing access points near the north end of the system will permanently close as part of the transition to the new configuration.
Dulles Toll Road impacts:
Drivers should expect multiple lane closures and ramp shutdowns in both directions between 9 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, including closures affecting access to northbound I-495.
George Washington Memorial Parkway impacts:
Mobile closures will take place on the approach to northbound I-495 from 9 p.m. to approximately 2 a.m.
Officials say drivers will know an entry to the new extension is open when signs are uncovered, toll rates appear, and barriers are removed. Motorists are urged not to attempt to enter any access point still under active closure and to be prepared for new traffic patterns as the region adjusts to the expanded system.
Map courtesy VDOT
