Virginia’s I-495 Express Lanes Extension Nears Completion
Key Takeaways
- VDOT’s $660 million I-495 NEXT project will open new express lanes by late November, easing congestion on one of Northern Virginia’s busiest highways.
- The expansion adds 2.5 miles of new lanes between the Dulles Toll Road and George Washington Memorial Parkway, connecting to the 14-mile express network.
- The project includes bridge rehabilitations, stormwater upgrades, and new bike and pedestrian connections along I-495.
A northern extension of the Interstate 495 Express Lanes in Fairfax County, Virginia is expected to open in late November, just in time for Thanksgiving travel — a milestone aimed at reducing chronic congestion on one of the Washington, D.C. metro area’s busiest highways.
The $660 million I-495 NEXT project is a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, the operator of the existing 495 Express Lanes, according to a release from the transportation department.
The expansion adds two new express lanes in each direction between the Dulles Toll Road interchange and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, spanning 2.5 miles and connecting to the existing 14-mile express lane segment, according to VDOT.
Managing Congestion Through Dynamic Tolling
The express lanes are free for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV-3+) and buses, while solo drivers can access them by paying a variable toll, according to FFX Now.
Tolls are dynamically priced to manage demand and keep traffic flowing at highway speeds, VDOT said.
The project also supports the Fairfax Connector’s Express Bus Service 798 between Tysons, Va., and Bethesda, Md., enhancing regional public transit connectivity.
Infrastructure and Multimodal Upgrades
In addition to the new express lanes, VDOT’s 495 NEXT project includes new bridges with sidewalks across I-495 at Live Oak Drive, Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike, as well as rehabilitation of four existing bridges, including the Lewinsville Road Bridge.
The project also features upgraded noise barriers; stormwater management improvements; and four miles of new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure — including a shared-use path running parallel to I-495 from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive, VDOT announced.
While the new express lanes are expected to open in late November, remaining work — including bridge construction at Georgetown Pike and completion of the shared-use path — will continue into 2026, with lane closures scheduled during off-peak hours, according to VDOT.
Looking Ahead: Regional Coordination Still Key
Although the project will deliver immediate traffic flow improvements, long-term congestion relief depends on Maryland’s stalled effort to expand the American Legion Bridge and add toll lanes, FFX Now reported.
The Maryland side of the initiative has faced repeated budget and planning delays, which could limit the full benefits of the I-495 NEXT expansion until both projects align.
The I-495 NEXT project began in March 2022 and is scheduled for full completion by mid-2026, according to VDOT’s latest construction timeline.