I-95 Traffic Impacts on Dec. 7 & 8
December 4, 2023
On December 7 and 8, 2023, several changes to the 95 Express Lanes will be implemented as the Fredericksburg Extension’s final access points open and the existing ramp from the I-95 general purpose lanes to the Express Lanes near Opitz Boulevard is permanently closed and a new ramp is opened just south near Dale Boulevard.
At or about 10 p.m. on December 7, the remaining access points to the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension will open southbound and reopen northbound on the normal reversal schedule—in time for morning rush hour on December 8.
The access points include:
- Reversible ramp at Courthouse Road/Route 630, with access from the Courthouse Road Park and Ride lot
- Northbound exit to and southbound entrance from I-95 near Russell Road by Marine Corps Base Quantico
- Northbound entrance access from the I-95 local lanes near Fredericksburg, providing access to the Lanes for drivers entering I-95 from Route 3/Route 17
Travelers should also expect closures that will enable the permanent closure of the existing Opitz Boulevard ramp from the I-95 general purpose lanes to the Express Lanes, and the opening of a new ramp just south near Dale Boulevard. At or about 10 p.m. on December 7 until about 5 a.m. on December 8, the I-95 general purpose lanes will experience a double left lane closure from about mile marker 155 to mile marker 157. Between midnight and 3 a.m. on December 8, travelers can expect up to five intermittent full closures lasting about 15 minutes each.
Drivers on the southbound general-purpose lanes who wish to enter the Express Lanes between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. are encouraged to use the access point just north near Route 1 in Occoquan.
Extended reversal overnight Dec. 1 to Dec. 2
November 28, 2023
95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension to Open Final Access Points
November 27, 2023
STAFFORD, Va.: Transurban North America, operator of the 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes, announced today the final access points of the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension will open at 10 p.m. on December 7, 2023, ready for northbound rush hour the morning of December 8, 2023. Completion of the extension creates the longest reversible facility in the nation, with additional access and capacity improvements for the corridor underway.
Regional travelers will have new access to the 95 Express Lanes via a reversible ramp from Courthouse Road/Route 630 in Stafford County, and a northbound exit from and southbound entrance to I-95 general purpose lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico. Access will also be available at the southern terminus for northbound traffic entering from Route 3 and Route 17.
“All of us at Transurban are thrilled to complete the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension, bringing the full benefits of the Express Lanes to even more residents of Stafford County, Fredericksburg, and the surrounding region,” said Amanda Baxter, Senior Vice President of Virginia Market and Operations, Transurban North America. “With direct access for 28,000 workers to Quantico, quick routes to growing regional commercial and residential hubs, and $1 billion in economic impact, the Fredericksburg Extension connects our communities to faster, more reliable travel along the Main Street of the East Coast.”
Since the 10-mile Extension opened for end-to-end travel on August 17, 2023, the roadway has enabled over 750,000 trips as of November 1—more than 16% riding for free by taking advantage of HOV-3+ toll exemption. Evening rush hour travelers can save about 35 minutes on average by taking the Express Lanes from Washington, DC to Fredericksburg, VA. Travelers in the general-purpose lanes for the same trip are saving about 20 minutes on average thanks to the increased capacity and reduced congestion.
The $670 million public-private partnership is generating an estimated 9,000 jobs, has invested over $75 million in small, disadvantaged, and minority- and women-owned businesses, and distributed grant funding to more than 80 local non-profit organizations. Delivering 66% more capacity, the Fredericksburg Extension is used by over 15% of 95 Express Lanes users—one in four of them new to the Express Lanes in the last three years.
Additionally, at 10 p.m. on December 7, 2023, the southbound ramp from the I-95 general-purpose lanes to the 95 Express Lanes near Opitz Boulevard Bridge project in Prince William County will be closed permanently. During daytime reversal on December 8, the new southbound Dale Boulevard ramp will open replacing the previous access point.
About Transurban North America
Transurban is one of the world's largest toll-road operators and developers, working to get people where they want to go, as quickly and safely as possible. In fiscal year 2023, our faster, more reliable roads saved customers an average of 413,000 hours each workday across five global markets. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, our public-private partnerships are transforming transportation choices using dynamic, real-time pricing on the 495, 95, and 395 Express Lanes. As we celebrate a decade of keeping Virginia travelers moving, we continue to work alongside our government partners to drive the technology, policy and mobility solutions that are connecting and strengthening communities today and ten years from now.
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A new ramp to the southbound Lanes in Prince William County
November 27, 2023
The express version
- The ramp to the southbound Express Lanes from the regular lanes near Opitz Blvd. closes Dec. 7
- A replacement ramp near Dale Blvd., just south of the closed ramp, will open Dec. 8
- The ramp closure is necessary to build a new connection from the 95 Express Lanes directly to Opitz Blvd.
The ramp to get on the southbound Express Lanes from the regular lanes near Opitz Blvd. will close around 10 p.m. on December 7. A replacement ramp about 3/4 mile south near Dale Blvd. will open to customers for southbound travel after the midday reversal on December 8.
Drivers should travel with extra caution during the nighttime period of December 7 as lane closures will be in place to close the current ramp and open the new one.
Relocating the access ramp was necessary to build a new reversible ramp that will connect the 95 Express Lanes directly to Opitz Boulevard.
Work on that ramp will begin on Monday, December 11. To allow for construction activities between the southbound regular lanes and the 95 Express Lanes, customers traveling on the northbound Express Lanes should expect that the left shoulder will be closed from about Dale Boulevard to Opitz Boulevard.
Learn more about the Opitz Ramp project here.
Changes to the midday reversal on the 95 Express Lanes
November 1, 2023
Beginning November 6, we are launching a pilot that will change the daytime reversal procedure for the 95 and 395 Express Lanes. Starting at 11 a.m. as the reversal process begins, all customers on the northbound Express Lanes will be diverted back to the regular lanes just before Route 123.
All customers traveling on or entering the 95 Express Lanes south of the Prince William Parkway will be diverted. Access points affected include ramps from I-95 near Route 17, Route 630, Route 610, Route 234 and Cardinal Drive, as well as the access ramp directly from Opitz Boulevard.
The diversion will allow reversal to take place faster, opening the Lanes to southbound traffic sooner. By shifting the availability of the Express Lanes’ capacity, travelers in both the regular lanes and Express Lanes are more likely to benefit from time savings.
The northbound regular lanes from near Route 123 to the D.C. line are typically free flowing during the diversion period.
Fred Ex Project Road Closure Information -- Week of Dec 17
December 18, 2023
For all road closures and other impacts in the Fredericksburg region, please visit Fredericksburg District - Travel | Virginia Department of Transportation (virginiadot.org).
Week of 12/17-12/23
I-95 Northbound
Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Monday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 133 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.
Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 148 (Quantico)
Monday - Friday, 9 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 140-142 and 145-147 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.
I-95 Southbound
Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville)
Thursday, 9 p.m. - 10 a.m. Single lane closure at 9 p.m. and double at 10 p.m. at mile markers 148-145 for pavement markings. Part of 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project construction.
Exit 148 (Quantico) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Monday - Wednesday, 9 p.m. - 10 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 146-144 and 135-133 for work zone barrier removal. Part of 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project construction.
Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton)
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 143-140 and 136-134 for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.
Overnight reversal to begin at 1 a.m. starting Oct. 3
September 28, 2023
Beginning October 3, the 95 & 395 Express Lanes will begin the overnight reversal at 1 a.m. instead of midnight. As a result, the Lanes will open northbound by about 3 a.m.
With this pilot, we are working to help more travelers get where they need to go faster and more reliably, even late at night. Data supports the initiative, showing traffic is more likely in the southbound direction in the midnight hour.
By shifting the availability of the Express Lanes’ extra capacity, travelers in both the regular lanes and Express Lanes are more likely to benefit from time savings in the corridor.
The overnight reversal occurs weekdays except for Mondays.
Labor Day 2023 Express Lanes Schedule
August 31, 2023
The express version
- The 95 and 395 Express Lanes Lanes will go south from about noon on 9/1 until 2 p.m. on 9/2
- The Lanes will point north from about 4 p.m. on 9/2 until 11 a.m. on 9/5
Labor Day Weekend reversal schedule details:
- Friday, September 1: The Lanes will be fully open southbound by about noon.
- Saturday, September 2: Lanes go south until 2 p.m. before closing to reverse. Lanes open north around 4 p.m.
- Sunday, September 3: Lanes head north all day, no reversal.
- Monday, September 4 (Labor Day): Lanes head north all day, no reversal.
- Tuesday, September 5: Starting Tuesday, the Lanes will end the early summer reversal schedule and will switch to reverse at 11 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m. The Lanes will be fully open southbound by about 12:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Remember to stay safe and celebrate responsibly this weekend.
95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension to Open in August
July 21, 2023
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban North America will partially open a 10-mile extension of the 95 Express Lanes in August to reduce congestion on the Interstate 95 corridor through Stafford County and Fredericksburg, connecting the region to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
“As Transurban celebrates more than 10 years getting Virginians where they need to go, we are excited to deliver faster, safer travel to Stafford and Fredericksburg,” said Amanda Baxter, Senior Vice President, Virginia Market & Operations for Transurban North America. “Whether commuting to work or road tripping with the family, the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension offers travelers ten more miles of a stress-free, reliable drive—providing 66% more capacity during peak periods and moving 30% more people along the Main Street of the East Coast.”
The extension will continue the 95 Express Lanes from the current terminus just south of Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) to near Route 17 (Warrenton Road) in Stafford County.
“This extension provides 10 miles of new interstate capacity to consistently move people and goods between the Richmond and Northern Virginia regions and delivers new ridesharing opportunities for people living and working in the Fredericksburg region,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “While more construction is ahead to fully realize the entire scope of the project’s benefits, opening the facility to through travelers this summer will provide immediate congestion relief and time savings.”
In August, northbound I-95 through travelers approaching from the Rappahannock River area will be able to enter Express Lanes using a left ramp entrance near the Route 17 interchange.
Southbound Express Lanes travelers will be able to drive an additional 10 miles south in the new facility to the Route 17 area. Exiting travelers can enter local I-95 southbound travel lanes near the Rappahannock River to access the Route 17 or Route 3 interchanges or continue in the I-95 southbound through travel lanes.
Two reversible Express Lanes will carry traffic northbound or southbound in the I-95 median according to the 95 Express Lanes operational schedule. Motorcycles and buses travel toll free, and vehicles carrying three occupants or more travel toll-free with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV ON. Vehicles with one or two occupants pay a variable toll with an E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex set to HOV OFF.
Additional new access points to and from the Express Lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico and Courthouse Road will open in late 2023. Following the reopening of the I-95 general-purpose lanes from exits 130 to 133 in late 2023, local traffic seeking to enter the northbound Express Lanes will use a new flyover ramp near Route 17.
Along with its travel benefits, the project is supporting Virginia’s economy and competitiveness. It is anticipated to generate $1 billion in economic activity.
The extended Express Lanes will connect with the Rappahannock River Crossing projects, under construction by VDOT in the Fredericksburg area. The Crossing projects are anticipated to complete on time and on budget in spring 2024.
Transurban is delivering the $670 million extended lane project as a public-private partnership with VDOT. The project contractor is Branch-Flatiron Joint Venture.
Construction will continue along the I-95 corridor in the Fredericksburg area until the project’s completion in spring 2024. Crews are working intensively in the I-95 median and at locations along the shoulder.
Memorial Day 2023 Reversal Schedule
May 23, 2023
The express version
- On May 25 and 26, the Lanes will be open southbound by 12:30 p.m.
- On May 29, the Lanes will run northbound all day
- Early reversal on weekdays will continue throughout the summer
Hitting the road for a getaway this holiday? You will have plenty of company; AAA predicts it will be the third busiest Memorial Day travel season since 2000. To help smooth travels on I-95, we're changing up our schedule and kicking off our early reversal on weekdays. Get the details below:
Memorial Day travel period
- Wednesday, May 24: Mid-day reversal begins at 11 a.m. Lanes open southbound by about 1 p.m.
- Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26: Mid-day reversal begins 30 minutes earlier at 10:30 a.m. Lanes open southbound by about 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 27: Standard Saturday schedule. Lanes run southbound until mid-day reversal at 2 p.m. Lanes open northbound by about 4 p.m.
- Sunday, May 28: Standard Sunday schedule. Lanes run northbound, no reversal.
- Monday, May 29: Lanes run northbound, no reversal.
Beginning Tuesday, May 30, the 395 and 95 Express Lanes will follow the summer schedule, with mid-day reversals beginning at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays.
With upcoming summer travel plans and continuing construction on the 95 Express Lanes extension to Fredericksburg, drivers are asked to exercise extra caution throughout the corridor as project vehicles come and go from the median. With crews advancing critical elements of the project near fast-moving traffic, it is essential all drivers maintain safe speeds and avoid any distractions.