“Traffic Alert: Weekend Road Changes on I-495 Northbound Near Tysons – Big Beam Project Jan. 24-27”

FAIRFAX, VA – Motorists are strongly recommended to steer clear of northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) near Tysons in Virginia heading toward the American Legion Bridge during the weekend of Jan. 24-27, as crews are planned to install large steel girders across the northbound Beltway for a new express lane ramp connecting the Dulles Toll Road to northbound I-495. From 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24 until as late as 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, lane reductions and traffic changes will be enacted on northbound I-495 for roughly three miles between Route 7 (near mile marker 47.4) to north of the Dulles Toll Road/Route 267 (near mile marker 44.6). Several ramps at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange will also be closed and redirected all weekend to facilitate the work. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the vicinity and select alternate routes, as delays and congestion are anticipated.

In case of adverse weather conditions, the Big Beam Weekend may be postponed to the following weekend, Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. 

What Motorists Should Anticipate:

• Northbound 495 Express Lanes traffic will be required to exit the lanes at the Route 7/Leesburg Pike express lanes exit (near mile marker 47.4), with the option to remerge onto northbound I-495 into the general lanes.
• All northbound I-495 traffic will be restricted to two lanes and redirected to the northbound 495 Express Lanes north of Route 123 (near mile marker 45.7).
• As part of this redirection, no vehicle will incur a toll, and trucks will be permitted to travel on this section of northbound 495 Express Lanes – the lanes will function as general lanes.
• All lanes will be restored (four general purpose lanes) at Lewinsville Road, north of the Dulles Toll Road/Route 267 (near mile marker 44.6).
• Furthermore, the ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway to northbound I-495, along with westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495, will be closed and redirected. The Dulles Airport Access Highway will stay open throughout the Big Beam Weekend; however, airport passengers are advised to allow additional time to reach Dulles International Airport due to the surrounding traffic disruptions.
• All southbound I-495 lanes (four general purpose and two express lanes) will remain operational. Southbound 495 Express Lanes will operate normally with tolling in place.

Click here to see maps illustrating closures and traffic disruptions.

How Motorists Can Prepare:

• Travelers are urged to avoid northbound I-495 in Virginia throughout the entire weekend of January 24-27.
• Drivers should plan in advance and opt for different routes or modify travel schedules.
• If traveling through the area is necessary, drivers should remain vigilant to road signs and indicated detours, and expect substantial delays and traffic congestion.
• Sign up for timely email notifications regarding the Big Beam Weekend at 495NEXT.org.
• Check real-time traffic statuses at VA 511 online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the mobile application, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

About the Big Beam Weekend:
Five lines of steel girders (composed of 10 beams) reaching a length of 295 feet will be elevated over northbound I-495 to support a new express lanes ramp as part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) initiative. Each girder measures 11 feet in height and 3 feet in width, weighing between 70 to 80 tons. Beams are being transported by truck to a staging area resting flat, due to their size, and must be lifted upright by cranes upon arrival.

During the Big Beam Weekend, cranes will hoist and secure the beams in position. This vital work cannot be conducted over traffic and necessitates lane closures. Generally, this type of planned construction occurs during nighttime hours or off-peak travel times to minimize impacts on the traveling public. However, due to the scale of the Big Beam operation – the largest girders to be installed on the 495 NEXT project – an extended work duration is required for everyone’s safety.

About the 495 NEXT Initiative:
The $660 million 495 NEXT project is a public-private collaboration between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban. Lane Construction serves as the primary design-build contractor, with Shirley Contracting Company executing improvements and express lanes access at the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange. The 495 NEXT initiative is developing a 2.5-mile extension of the 495 Express Lanes, including new connections at the Dulles Corridor and the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges. Construction commenced in March 2022, with the new extended lanes set to open in late 2025, followed by the project’s completion in mid-2026. 

 

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