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.
Reversal Schedule for Army's 250th
June 11, 2025
To help keep traffic moving to and from D.C. during events for the Army's 250th Birthday this Saturday, the reversal schedule on the 95 and 395 Express Lanes is being adjusted:
Saturday, June 14
- The reversal from southbound to northbound will begin at noon instead of 2 p.m.
- The Lanes will be fully open northbound by about 1:30 p.m.
- The Lanes will start southbound reversal around 6 p.m.
- By about 7:30 p.m., the Lanes will be fully open for southbound travel and remain southbound throughout the day
Sunday, June 15
- The Lanes will start reversal from southbound to northbound around 1 a.m.
- From about 3:30 a.m. on, the Lanes will be fully open northbound
Additionally, in coordination with other regional closures, the 395 Express Lanes northbound exit ramp to Route 27 / Washington Boulevard will be closed on Saturday.
The exit to the National Mall/Route 1 from the 14th Street 395 Express Lanes bridge will be closed from Thursday evening to early morning Monday. All traffic will be directed east toward Capitol Hill.
Overnight closures on the 95 and 395 Express Lanes this Summer/Fall
June 3, 2025
The milling and paving activities on the 95/395 Express Lanes from near Franconia-Springfield Parkway to near Edsall Road are concluding; that segment of the Express Lanes is expected to be fully open to traffic overnight beginning the evening of Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The project will continue further south, with milling and paving activities scheduled to begin the evening of Thursday August 7, from MM 170 to MM 158 on the 95 Express Lanes:
|
Day |
Time |
Closure Type |
|
Monday-Thursday |
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. |
Two-lane closure |
|
|
10 p.m. – 4 a.m. |
Full closure |
|
Friday |
9 p.m. – 8 a.m. |
Two-lane closure |
|
Saturday (backup) |
8 p.m. – 8 a.m. |
Two-lane closure |
|
Sunday (backup) |
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. |
Two-lane closure |
|
|
10 p.m. – 4 a.m. |
Full closure |
Southbound traffic will be diverted to the general-purpose lanes via the flyover ramp near Backlick Road; travelers can re-enter the Express Lanes via the slip ramp near Dale Boulevard. Following reversal, northbound traffic will be diverted off the Express Lanes to the general-purpose lanes via the slip ramp near Prince William Parkway; travelers can re-enter the Express Lanes via the slip ramp north of Franconia-Springfield Parkway.
All customers, especially motorcyclists, are encouraged to use extra caution when traveling in the area and transitioning between paved and unpaved lanes.
Memorial Day and Summer 2025 Reversal Schedule
May 16, 2025
The 95 and 395 Express Lanes weekday summer reversal goes into effect on May 22. The Lanes will reverse at 10 a.m. on weekdays throughout the summer. Overnight and weekend reversal times will stay the same.
And, to help smooth travels around the holiday, the Lanes will stay open north all day on Monday, May 26.
Here's what to expect for the holiday and this summer:
-
Thursday, May 22 -- 10 a.m. reversal from northbound to southbound
-
Friday, May 23 -- 10 a.m. reversal from northbound to southbound
-
Saturday, May 24 -- 2 p.m. reversal from southbound to northbound
-
Sunday, May 25 -- Lanes northbound all day
-
Monday, May 26 -- Memorial Day, Lanes northbound all day
-
Tuesday, May 27 -- 10 a.m. reversal from northbound to southbound
The summer reversal schedule will continue through Sept. 2, 2025.
Watch Out for Unpaid Toll Text Scams
February 26, 2025
The express version
- These text messages often pretend to be from your state's department of transportation or toll facility
Toll text scams are on the rise, targeting drivers across the United States. These scams send fake text messages claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls, aiming to steal your personal information.
Remember: The 495, 95, and 395 Express Lanes do NOT send texts to you about unpaid tolls. We communicate with our customers through mail, email, and our call center.
You can sign up for missed toll alerts, but only via email.
What to do if you receive a scam text:
- Don't respond or click any links
- Report the message as junk/spam
- File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Examples of toll text scams:
Stay vigilant and keep your travels smooth and secure!
What to expect on the 495 Express Lanes Jan. 24 to Jan. 27
January 17, 2025
Major construction work will require major lane closures on the northbound stretch of I-495 near Tysons from about 9 p.m. on Jan. 24 to the early morning of Jan. 27. Drivers should expect delays on the inner loop and around the Dulles Toll Road.
Check out the 495 NEXT project site for all the regional details and closure information.
Here's what to expect on the Express Lanes.
Southbound 495 Express Lanes
- Open and running per usual
Northbound 495 Express Lanes
- South of Route 7/Leesburg Pike, the 495 Express Lanes will remain open per usual with tolling in place.
- North of Route 7, drivers already on the Lanes will be detoured off at the Route 7 exit starting at about 9 p.m. on Jan. 24.
- Once at the Route 7/I-495 interchange, drivers can choose to re-enter the regular lanes of I-495.
- After taking the Route 7 entry ramp to I-495, drivers will be detoured back into the 495 Express Lanes.
- Tolls on the northbound 495 Express Lanes will be suspended from Route 7 to the end of the Lanes. Signage will advise drivers of the toll suspension.
Customers who travel the southbound 495 Express Lanes or the northbound 495 Express Lanes south of Route 7 and have issues with their trip can always reach our customer service center.
395 Express Lanes Closures on Jan. 20
January 15, 2025
At the direction of VDOT, the northbound 395 Express Lanes will be closed from midnight to 11 a.m. on January 20, a federal holiday.
Here's what drivers can expect:
From midnight to 11 a.m.:
- All access ramps to the northbound 395 Express Lanes will be closed.
- Drivers on the 95 Express Lanes will be detoured to the regular Ianes on I-95 near Edsall Road.
From 11 a.m. to around 12:30 p.m.
- The reversal will begin at the standard time of 11 a.m.
- Access ramps to the southbound 395 Express Lanes at and south of Washington Blvd. are scheduled to open within the standard window, by about 12:30 p.m.
From 12:30 p.m. on:
- Access ramps north of Washington Blvd. -- at Eads St. and from the southbound HOV bridge coming from D.C. -- will remain closed until Inauguration events conclude in the evening.
Drivers traveling on I-395 on January 20th are advised to extra caution.
Information on other regional roadway closures in Virginia and D.C. can be found below:
2025 Presidential Inauguration Traffic Restrictions | inauguration
BIG BEAM WEEKEND JAN. 24-27 Massive bridge girders to be installed over I-495/Capital Beltway in VA for 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project
January 13, 2025
Weekend-long travel impacts on Beltway near Tysons and at I-495/Dulles Corridor interchange; motorists urged to plan ahead and stay away
FAIRFAX — Crews are preparing to install five lines of massive steel girders extending 295-feet in length across northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway) for a new express lanes ramp that will connect the Dulles Toll Road to northbound I-495. This major bridge girder operation - the Big Beam Weekend - is scheduled to occur Friday night, January 24 through early Monday morning, January 27, and will impact travel significantly on northbound I-495 near Tysons and at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange area. Motorists are urged to STAY AWAY throughout the weekend as northbound I-495 will be reduced from six to two lanes near Tysons, and multiple ramps at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange will be closed and detoured. In the event of inclement weather, the Big Beam Weekend will be rescheduled for the following weekend, Jan. 31 through Feb. 3.
Specifically, traffic on northbound I-495 will be reduced from six lanes (four general- purpose and two express) to two lanes for about a one-mile stretch near Tysons during the entire Big Beam Weekend. The two open lanes will function as non-tolled, general- purpose lanes and be open to all traffic. Motorists should stay alert to lane reductions and traffic shifts that will be in place for approximately three miles beginning at the Route 7 interchange until just past Lewinsville Road (north of Route 267).
Additionally, the ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway to northbound I-495, as well as westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495, will be closed and detoured. The Dulles Airport Access Highway will remain open throughout the Big Beam Weekend; however, airport travelers are encouraged to allow extra time to get to Dulles International Airport due to the surrounding traffic impacts.
Motorists are urged to stay away from northbound I-495 in Virginia the entire weekend of January 24-27 and should choose alternate routes. If travel through the area is unavoidable, drivers should expect delays and traffic backups. To inform local and long-distance travelers about the Big Beam Weekend-lane closures and detours, messaging on roadway signs will be deployed in advance throughout the directly impacted area and on major outlying corridors such as Interstates 95 and 81. Click here to view maps showing closures and traffic impacts.
To plan ahead and stay informed about the Big Beam Weekend, affected travelers should check VA 511 online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, on the mobile app., or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. Travelers are also encouraged to sign up for email alerts at 495next.vdot.virginia.gov.
About the Big Beam Weekend
Five lines of steel girders (made up of 10 beams) will be lifted over northbound I-495 to support a new express lanes ramp as part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project. Each girder is 11-feet tall by 3-feet wide, and weighs between 70 to 80 tons. Beams are being delivered by truck to a staging area lying flat, due to their size, and must be stood upright by cranes upon arrival.
During the Big Beam Weekend, beams will be hoisted by cranes and secured into place. This critical work cannot be done overtop traffic and requires lane closures to be in place. Typically, this type of planned construction occurs during nighttime hours or non-peak travel times to limit impacts to the traveling public. However, due to the magnitude of the Big Beam operation – the largest girders to be installed on the 495 NEXT project – an extended work period is necessary for the safety of travelers and workers alike.
About 495 NEXT Project:
The $660 million 495 NEXT project is a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban. Lane Construction is the lead design-build contractor, with Shirley Contracting Company building the improvements and express lanes access at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange. The 495 NEXT project is building a 2.5-mile extension of the 495 Express Lanes including new connections at the Dulles Corridor and the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges. The project includes additional benefits and features such as replacement or rehabilitation of seven bridges, new and replacement upgraded noise walls, and four miles of new bicycle and pedestrian connections. Construction began in March 2022, with the new extended lanes scheduled to open in late 2025, followed by final project completion in mid-2026.
For more information please contact: Michelle Holland at michelle.holland@vdot.virginia.gov or 703-586-0487