The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a Virtual Public Information Meeting on September 29, 2021, to present the latest updates and information related to the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project. The 495 NEXT project involves extending Virginia’s 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge. This important project is advancing to the design and construction phase following more than three years of environmental study and traffic analysis. In June 2021, VDOT received a “Finding of No Significant Impact,” from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on its environmental assessment, and an approval from FHWA on its interchange justification report, setting the stage for the project to move to the implementation phase.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will participate in this meeting to provide an update on their New American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-70 Traffic Relief Plan, with a focus on proposed project improvements in Virginia near the George Washington Memorial Parkway and across the American Legion Bridge into Maryland. Information on this project can be found at 495-270-p3.com.

Meeting details include: Virtual Public Information Meeting

Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

(Presentations at 6:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session)

Visit 495NorthernExtension.org for the meeting link and details on how to participate. Call 703-691-6715 with questions about joining the meeting.

Plan to join this virtual public information meeting for updates on these important projects and ongoing collaboration and coordination between Virginia and Maryland project teams to improve travel and bring relief and multimodal solutions to I-495 and the Capital Beltway area. Information about transit plans and commitments also will be provided.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775.

WOODBRIDGE – The Virginia Department of Transportation is asking travelers in Woodbridge to give feedback on a study of potential improvements for the intersection of Route 1 and Route 123. While the recently completed widening, shared-use path, and sidewalk have improved conditions along Route 1, the intersection at Route 123 is expected to experience higher traffic volumes in the future.

The study alternatives are assessing connecting Route 123 and Belmont Bay Drive to reduce traffic at the Route 1 and Occoquan Road intersection, constructing a partial or full grade-separated interchange, and pedestrian, bicycle, and transit enhancements to improve traffic flow and safety. At the intersection, Route 123 currently averages 19,000 vehicles a day, and Route 1 averages 39,000.

In lieu of an in-person presentation, VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more and share feedback from home. View the presentation online to learn about draft alternatives developed for the Route 1 and Route 123 intersection, and give input and comments by taking the online survey through May 24.

The presentation and survey (also available in Spanish) and more study details are available at virginiadot.org/WoodbridgeStars. Comments can also be sent to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov or to Ms. Angel Tao, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Please note that these studies do not set construction dates for any improvements, but develop proposed improvements that localities can pursue for funding.

Other Area Studies

Potential safety and operational improvements are also being studied for the nearby intersection at Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, as well as the adjacent I-95 and Route 123 interchange. Opportunities to learn more and comment on the Route 123 and Old Bridge Road study will be announced later this month. For the study of the I-95 and Route 123 interchange, comments were invited earlier this spring, with the final study expected to be complete later this summer.

These studies are being completed through VDOT’s Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) program that aim to identify cost-effective measures to improve safety and reduce congestion. The final studies are expected to be complete and posted online this summer.

View this release online.

WOODBRIDGE – The Virginia Department of Transportation is asking users of I-95 and Route 123 in Woodbridge to give feedback on potential improvements being evaluated for the I-95 and Route 123 interchange as identified in the I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan.

The study is assessing reconfiguring ramps, extending lanes, modifying and relocating traffic signals, access management, and pedestrian, bicycle and transit enhancements to improve traffic flow and safety. At the interchange, I-95 averages up to 232,000 vehicles a day and Route 123 (Gordon Boulevard) averages up to 71,000.

In lieu of an in-person presentation, VDOT invites residents and travelers to learn more and share feedback from home. View the presentation online to learn about draft alternatives that have been developed for the I-95 and Route 123 interchange, and give input and comments by taking the online survey through April 19.

The presentation and survey (also available in Spanish) and more study details are available at virginiadot.org/WoodbridgeStars. Comments can also be sent to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov or to Ms. Angel Tao, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Please note that these studies do not set construction dates for any improvements, but develop proposed improvements that localities can pursue for funding.

Potential safety and operational improvements are also being studied for the adjacent intersections at Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, as well as Route 1 and Route 123. Opportunities to learn more and comment on these studies will be coming later this spring.

All of these studies are being completed through VDOT’s Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) program that aims to identify cost-effective measures to improve safety and reduce congestion. The final studies are expected to be complete and posted online this summer.

View this release online.