495 Express Lanes

Crews work on new ramps at the Springfield Interchange, one of the most complex interchanges on the project. Construction of the 14-mile, four-lane roadway also brings upgrades to 12 interchanges, new access points and the replacement of over 50 bridges and overpasses.   

New bridge piers are under development to support completion of project construction in the Springfield Interchange and provide a seamless connection between HOV service on I-95/I-395 to the 495 Express Lanes.

Construction progresses on the Little River Turnpike bridge in late fall 2008. It was completed ahead of schedule with new and improved bicycle and pedestrian access.

Steel beams for the new Little River Turnpike bridge are put into place late at night. The design-builders committed to no scheduled interstate closures during peak a.m. and p.m. rush hours throughout project construction. 

View of construction crews preparing for the second phase bridge construction at Gallows Road.  The new Gallows Road bridge will include an Express Lanes connection servicing the nearby INOVA hospital and Merrifield businesses.

The old Route 29 bridge undergoing demolition at night in late 2008. A new bridge will offer direct Beltway access into and out of Merrifield.

An existing flyover ramp from I-495 north to I-66 west is being modified for future use within the Express Lanes. The Express Lanes will help create a larger regional HOV network with new links to the planned 95 Express Lanes and by connecting to HOV lanes on I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road.

Aerial view of progress at I-495 and Route 7 Interchange.  Drivers are traveling on a new westbound bridge, while work progresses on a new eastbound bridge.

Workers are placing rebar for the new westbound portion of the Leesburg Pike bridge. A study by Dr. Stephen Fuller at George Mason University estimated that construction of the 495 Express Lanes would support more than 30,000 jobs in the local area and elsewhere in the national economy from 2008 until 2013.

Aerial view of construction in October 2011 shows the final phase of the new Route 7 bridge overtop the Beltway.

The Route 123 southbound bridge is demolished to accommodate the widened Beltway.  Travelers in Tysons Corner will enjoy new access points at Westpark Drive and Jones Branch Drive when the 495 Express Lanes open.

Heavy construction equipment tears down the Route 123 southbound bridge during nighttime hours. The bridge was one piece of over $260 million of aging infrastructure replaced during construction.

A bird's-eye view of the construction at the Route 123 and Capital Beltway interchange in spring 2011. Visible is the work on Westpark Bridge (closest), Chain Bridge Road and the Dulles Toll Road. In this spot, the 495 Express Lanes and the Dulles Rail, two of the most significant transit projects in the country, intersect.

View of construction work on the elevated ramp for the Express Lanes connection to Westpark bridge, one of the two new access points into Tysons Corner from the 495 Express Lanes.

Construction staff work on the Westpark bridge widening and future Express Lanes connection. This access point will allow travelers to get to and from the mall right from the Beltway.

Deck work is underway on the in-progress Express Lanes connector from I-495/Capital Beltway to the widened and improved Westpark bridge, providing drivers convenient access to the mall and offices in Tysons Corner.

Crews observe large steel beams placed over I-495 to support the future Express Lanes Connection at Jones Branch Drive in Tysons Corner. All lanes of the Beltway were closed to accommodate the massive lift.

Photo of Express Lanes construction in the middle of the Dulles Toll Road.  This Express Lanes interchange will connect drivers to the Toll Road heading towards Dulles International Airport as well as popular destinations in Reston and Herndon.