Overnight closures on 95 Express Lanes this summer
May 27, 2026
Overnight repaving work along stretches of the 95 Express Lanes will require partial and full closures of the Lanes beginning tonight, May 27. The work is expected to continue for approximately three months.
- Travelers can expect single- and double-lane closures from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with full closures from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., Monday through Friday.
- The first phase of work, expected to last until mid-June, will occur along the stretch from the Franconia Springfield Parkway to near Quantico.
- Entry ramps to affected stretches will be closed as well, and travelers approaching the closed work zone will be detoured to the general-purpose lanes.
495 Express Lanes Extension’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Planned to Open June 27
May 21, 2026
Project partners to host community “4.95K Fun Run” event on opening day to highlight new multimodal infrastructure mobility connections in McLean
McLEAN, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, the Commonwealth’s private partner and operator of the 495 Express Lanes, today announced that a new shared-use bicycle and pedestrian trail—one of the final multimodal features of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project—is scheduled to open to the public on Saturday, June 27.
The approximate two-and-a-half-mile trail runs parallel to I-495 (Capital Beltway) between Lewinsville Road and Live Oak Drive in northern Virginia’s McLean area, and will provide a new, paved bicycle and pedestrian facility with connections to Scott’s Run Nature Preserve and Fairfax County Park Authority’s trail system. Situated behind new noise walls, the trail provides a safe, separated facility for bicyclists and pedestrians with newly-built connections across the Beltway at Lewinsville Road, Old Dominion Drive, and Georgetown Pike.
“The upcoming opening of the new bicycle and pedestrian trail parallel to I-495 in McLean marks a significant milestone in the 495 NEXT project,” commented Michelle Shropshire, VDOT’s Northern Virginia Deputy District Engineer and Megaprojects Director. “While the new express lanes extension opened to traffic in November 2025, the new shared-use path is an important project feature that demonstrates VDOT’s ongoing commitment to delivering multimodal benefits as part of our express lanes projects.”
“We are excited to bring one more way our communities can connect via these new shared use paths, delivering yet another travel choice to Northern Virginia,” said Beau Memory, President, Transurban North America. “Providing accessibility to our outdoor spaces for walkers, bike riders and more supports our neighbors’ wellbeing and helps more people enjoy our region.”
To celebrate the opening of the trail, VDOT and Transurban will host a free community 4.95 kilometer fun-run-style event on the morning of Saturday, June 27. This family-friendly event is designed to introduce neighbors and outdoor enthusiasts to the new access and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The 4.95k Fun Run event will celebrate the newest addition to the trail network in Fairfax County:
- The event will begin at the future Scott’s Run Nature Preserve annex parking lot, another important community feature built as part of the 495 NEXT project that will open for public use in the coming months. Guests arriving by car should park at nearby Holy Trinity Church in McLean and walk a short distance to the lot. Free family-friendly entertainment will be available in the lot before and after the run.
- The casual run will begin at about 8:30 a.m. following brief remarks from project leadership. Runners will depart the annex lot to cross westbound over Georgetown Pike bridge before heading south on the shared-used trail. Participants will travel nearly the full length of the trail to near Lewinsville Road before backtracking to the bridge for a total distance of 4.95 kilometers—a nod to the project’s name.
- Participation is free but registration is required. Members of the public are encouraged to visit runsignup.com/Race/VA/McLean/495FunRun to learn more about the event, view the course map, and register to attend.
- A “kid friendly” run will be offered later in the morning at 9:15 a.m.
While sections of the 495 trail are traversable, it remains under construction and closed to the public until June 27. Remaining trail work includes completing the installation of handrails and fencing. Additionally, the trail is being used by trucks and other equipment involved in the 495 NEXT project’s revegetation.
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Overnight closures on 495 Express Lanes in May
May 4, 2026
Portions of the northern 495 Express Lanes and its connecting ramps in the McLean/Tysons area will be closed during overnight periods in early May for paving, pavement marking and signage installation, bridge work, and other activities.
The full schedule of closures is below:
- The Route 267 westbound entry ramp to the 495 Express Lanes northbound will be closed from 10pm-5am nightly from May 3-8.
- The Route 267 eastbound entry ramp to the 495 Express Lanes northbound will be closed from 10pm-5am nightly from May 4-8.
- The George Washington Memorial Parkway entry ramp to the 495 Express Lanes will be closed from 10pm-5am nightly from May 4-8.
- The 495 Express Lanes northbound exit ramp to the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed from 10pm-5am nightly from May 4-8.
- All northbound travel lanes on the 495 Express Lanes after Route 7 will be closed from 10pm on May 7 until 5am on May 8. Traffic will be detoured off at the Route 7 exit.
Transurban’s 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project Earns Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure’s Envision Silver Award
January 6, 2026
The roadway’s first standalone access ramp recognized for promoting sustainable communities and enhanced mobility
WOODBRIDGE, Va.: The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) has awarded Transurban’s recent project completed in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Opitz Boulevard ramp on the 95 Express Lanes, its prestigious Silver Envision Award for its contributions to the surrounding community, sustainable construction methods and materials, and improvements to mobility throughout Northern Virginia.
The ramp, which opened to traffic in November 2024, connects Opitz Boulevard to the 95 Express Lanes in Woodbridge, Virginia—providing a faster, more reliable travel option to a major commercial area, the region’s medical center, and hospital, while also supporting one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. The project is one of the latest additions to the 63+ miles of Express Lanes Transurban operates in Northern Virginia is part of a private public partnership (P3) with VDOT.
“At Transurban, we are always looking for ways to best serve our customers and communities. On the Express Lanes, a faster, more reliable trip is also a sustainable one—and with ISI’s Envision Silver Award recognition, we are setting the example for the future of our industry," said Beau Memory, President, Transurban North America. “That is why I am proud the 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project now officially reflects a forward-thinking approach to transportation infrastructure.”
ISI rigorously evaluates projects to set the standard for resilient infrastructure that keeps communities moving forward. Projects earn recognition by addressing a broad range of sustainability indicators, including environmental, social, and economic factors.
“Congratulations to Transurban, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the entire project team on the success of the Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project,” said Kailey Eldredge, ISI’s Verification Director. “This is Transurban’s second Envision Award for a 95 Express Lanes project this year—a strong testament to their commitment to using Envision to evaluate sustainability performance and minimize economic, environmental, and social impacts.”
The Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project earned the Silver Award by:
- Enhancing community connectivity with improved access for central/southern Prince William County and points south to Potomac Mills Shopping Mall, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, and growing residential neighborhoods
- Promoting multimodal transportation through public transit investments and toll-free travel for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV)
- Minimizing construction waste and protecting local wildlife habitats
“Creating new access to the 95 Express Lanes at Opitz Boulevard has expanded travel options in Prince William County and supports multimodal, reliable trips for all express lanes users,” said VDOT Megaprojects Director Michelle Shropshire. “This project was made possible through the Commonwealth’s public-private partnership model, which enabled VDOT and Transurban to enhance its 95 Express Lanes facility and help provide additional congestion relief to the I-95 corridor.”
The 95 Express Lanes is the longest reversible road in the United States, operating northbound in the mornings and southbound in the evenings to reduce peak-direction congestion in Northern Virginia. The reversible Opitz Boulevard Ramp connects to Northern Virginia’s 97-mile network of dynamically priced managed lanes—including 65 miles operated by Transurban—saving customers more than 20,000 hours every workday.
Exiting the 495 Express Lanes near Maryland
December 3, 2025
The 495 Express Lanes Extension expanded both the northbound and southbound Lanes by about 2.5 miles to near the American Legion Bridge. The Extension also introduced new access points at the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Dulles Toll Road.
When traveling northbound towards the end of the 495 Express Lanes, remember to stay in the right lane to reach the general purpose lanes. The left lane becomes a dedicated exit lane to the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Check out the video and graphics below to help you safely navigate the end of the northbound 495 Express Lanes.
Holidays 2025 Reversal Schedule
December 8, 2025
The 395 and 95 Express Lanes will reverse early on a number of days in December.
Remember, drivers with three or more people in the car and an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON can ride for free.
View the full reversal schedule below:
|
Day |
Holiday reversal start time |
Standard reversal start time |
Roadway direction after reversal |
|
Thursday, December 18 |
10 a.m. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Friday, December 19 |
10 a.m. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Saturday, December 20 |
2 p.m. |
2 p.m. |
Northbound by about 4 p.m. |
|
Sunday, December 21 |
No reversal |
No reversal |
Northbound all day |
|
Monday, December 22 |
10 a.m. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Tuesday, December 23 |
10 am. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Wednesday, December 24 |
10 a.m. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Thursday, December 25 |
No reversal |
11 a.m. |
Southbound all day |
|
Friday, December 26 |
10 a.m. (1 hour early) |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about noon |
|
Saturday, December 27 |
2 p.m. |
2 p.m. |
Northbound by about 4 p.m. |
|
Sunday, December 28 |
No reversal |
No reversal |
Northbound all day |
|
Monday, December 29 |
11 a.m |
11 a.m |
Southbound open by about 1 p.m. |
|
Tuesday, December 30 |
11 a.m |
11 a.m |
Southbound open by about 1 p.m. |
|
Wednesday, December 31 |
11 a.m |
11 a.m |
Southbound open by about 1 p.m. |
|
Thursday, January 1 |
No reversal |
11 a.m |
Southbound all day |
|
Friday, January 2 |
11 a.m |
11 a.m. |
Southbound open by about 1 p.m. |
Weekday overnight reversals will be conducted at the standard time of about 1 a.m. Find the standard reversal schedule here.
New 495 Express Lanes Extension To Open in Late November
October 30, 2025
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban, the Commonwealth’s private partner and operator of the 495 Express Lanes, announced today that the northern extension of the 495 Express Lanes is scheduled to open in late November, ahead of holiday travel. The extension includes two new express lanes in each direction of I-495 (the Capital Beltway) between the Dulles Corridor Interchange and the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) Interchange, as well as new express lanes access at both interchanges. This extension will provide more capacity, new connections with major commuter and business routes, and new travel options for people who face daily gridlock and congestion in this section of the Beltway.
“We are pleased to be getting close to opening the new 495 Express Lanes extension,” stated VDOT Megaprojects Director Michelle Shropshire. “This latest addition to Northern Virginia’s existing 94-mile network of connected express lanes will provide new choices for faster and more reliable travel, in an area of the Beltway that consistently faces lengthy backups and travel delays. The added express lanes and new connections at key interchanges, along with new bridges and other multimodal improvements that will come online in 2026 as part of the 495 NEXT project, will benefit local and regional travelers, as well as surrounding communities,” added Shropshire.
“The latest extension of the 495 Express Lanes again proves the power of partnership," said Beau Memory, President, Transurban North America. “Investing in our community means more than just steel and concrete infrastructure - it is about creating lasting value through community benefits like multimodal travel choices and local organization investment. Our partnership with VDOT, now spanning 13 years, is an example of the power of collaboration when it comes to bringing projects like this extension to bear.”
The two-and-a-half mile 495 Express Lanes extension connects with the existing 14-mile 495 Express Lanes just north of Tysons, near the Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Access Road, and extends north to the GWMP before the American Legion Bridge into Maryland. Dedicated express lanes ramps will open from westbound Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) to the north, and to and from the GWMP. The 495 Express Lanes extension, and larger network of express lanes in Northern Virginia, are free for high occupant vehicles (HOV) with three or more people, while solo drivers can choose to use the lanes by paying a toll. Express lanes tolls are dynamically priced and fluctuate to manage demand and keep the lanes moving at highway speeds.
Buses also travel the express lanes for free, providing another way for travelers to experience faster and more reliable express lanes travel. Existing bus service on the 495 Express Lanes that will benefit from the new extension opening includes the Fairfax Connector’s Express Bus Service 798 between Tysons and Bethesda - two of the busiest areas within the greater Washington, D.C. region. The Route 798 bus service, which launched in September 2024, was made possible through an early commitment of $5.2 million by the Commonwealth to purchase the buses and $2 million from the 495 NEXT Transportation Management Plan to begin operations during construction. Annual transit payments from Transurban, starting at $2.2 million, will fund continued service of this important transit service.
The 495 NEXT project includes additional benefits and features such as:
- New bridges with sidewalks across the Beltway at Live Oak Drive, Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike
- Rehabilitation of four other bridges including the Lewinsville Road Bridge
- New, upgraded noise walls to protect nearby neighborhoods
- New stormwater management systems and environmental commitments to improve Scott’s Run Stream
- Four miles of new bicycle and pedestrian connections including a shared-use path parallel to I-495 from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive
Over the next month, crews will continue to complete the new express lanes in the center portion of the Beltway. Critical construction activities that must be completed include paving, lane marking, installation of roadway signs and completion of new express lanes ramps. The planned opening date will be provided in the coming weeks, once these activities, which are weather dependent, are completed.
Work to finish several of these features including the shared-use path and new Beltway bridges at Georgetown Pike will continue into 2026. Lane closures during non-peak travel times will continue to be necessary for crews to safely complete these important project elements, which will benefit surrounding communities and local travelers.
The $660 million 495 NEXT project is a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban, private partner and operator of the existing 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes. Lane Construction is the lead design-build contractor, with Shirley Contracting Company building improvements and express lanes access at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor Interchange. Construction on this critical improvement project began in March 2022. Final project completion is anticipated to occur by mid-2026.
More information on how the Extension will work is available at: www.ExpressLanes.com/495Extension
Labor Day 2025 Reversal Schedule
August 26, 2025
The 95 and 395 Express Lanes will run northbound all day on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.
On Tuesday, September 2, the summer early weekday reversals will end, and the standard reversal will begin again at 11 a.m. with the southbound Lanes fully open by about 1 p.m.
Planning a trip around the holiday? Find the full daytime schedule below.
- Wednesday, August 27:
- Northbound until 10 a.m.
- Closed for reversal from 10 a.m. to noon
- Southbound from noon
- Thursday, August 28:
- Northbound until 10 a.m.
- Closed for reversal from 10 a.m. to noon
- Southbound from noon
- Friday, August 29:
- Northbound until 10 a.m.
- Closed for reversal from 10 a.m. to noon
- Southbound from noon
- Saturday, August 30:
- Southbound until 2 p.m.
- Closed for reversal from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- northbound from 4 p.m.
- Sunday, August 31:
- Northbound all day
- Monday, September 1:
- Northbound all day
- Tuesday, September 2:
- Northbound until 11 a.m.
- Closed for reversal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Southbound from 1 p.m.
Summer and fall travel safety tips
August 7, 2025
Quick and reliable travel is great, but only if you and your passengers get to your destination safe and sound. We want to help you get where you need to go as safely as possible, too.
Remember these tips and resources as you travel along our corridors this summer and fall.
Construction season is underway
- Work on the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project on I-495 in McLean is in full swing so we can open the Lanes to you later this year
- Crews are focused on finishing the new Express Lanes in the median of the Beltway from the Dulles Corridor to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges, as well as the connecting ramps to and from the new 2.5 mile stretch of Lanes
- Expect more overnight work zone activity and watch out for construction vehicles entering and exiting from the left lane
- Using extra caution, driving the speed limit and avoiding distractions are especially important when driving through the 495 NEXT work zone
- Stay on top of construction activity by signing up for email alerts on the project website
- Overnight closures for milling and paving work continue on the 395 and 95 Express Lanes, get the latest update here
- All customers, especially motorcyclists, should use extra caution when merging between paved and unpaved lanes
Back to school brings new travel patterns and risks
- See ya summer. Students return to school in most districts in Northern Virginia in mid- or late-August
- School schedules can mean new and unfamiliar routes, and new pressure to get to school and afterschool activities on time, which can lead to distractions or speeding
- Newer drivers and school buses are making their way around too, including on the Express Lanes
- Stay extra alert in August and September as kiddos and their families get used to their new routine
- Check out these driver safety tips from our partners at VDOT
- Parents, remember these DMV teen driver safety tips
New paved trail coming to McLean in late-2025
July 30, 2025
The 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension project is delivering a new shared-use trail that will run parallel to I-495 in McLean, Virginia, from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive.
The pathway will enable new opportunities for bicycle and pedestrian travel around McLean and nearby Tysons while offering new connections to Scott's Run Nature Preserve along the Potomac River.
This new multimodal infrastructure will sit behind noise walls and was designed in coordination with Fairfax County to advance the County's bike plan.
Learn more about the 495 NEXT project and the trail on the project website.
