Four big road projects in Northern Virginia are getting over a billion dollars in the near future thanks to a deal with private partner, Transurban.
In a press release by Governor Northam's office, we learned that NoVA just won the road improvement lottery. Here are the details of this newly minted agreement.
Where are the improvements going to happen?
Four major road projects have been identified:
- Extending 495 Express Lanes northward to and over the American Legion Bridge
- Connecting the I-95 Express Lanes at Opitz Boulevard in Woodbridge -- Tthis should make it easier for visitors to get to Potomac Mills Mall instead of winding through local roads.
- Creating a new southbound lane on I-95 at Occoquan in Woodbridge (can I get a hallelujah?)-- This is by FAR the worst bottleneck on I-95 south of the Beltway. The weird thing is, so many jerks ride along on the shoulder, doesn't it seem like they already have the space for this?
- Extending 10 more miles of the I-95 Express Lanes into Fredericksburg -- This will make a HUGE difference for the main lanes and Route 1 in both directions.
When will the work start?
As of right now, the projects will have individual timelines. Before they can start, Transurban will be conducting extensive focus groups and community engagement events to begin the design phases. Actual construction could begin as early as 2020.
How long will the work last?
This is a moving target. Each project will face its own challenges, and updated completion dates will be announced as they are available. The Commonwealth is hoping that by 2022, there will be 90 miles of connected Express Lanes throughout Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg.
To keep on top of this story and other transportation news, keep an eye on the VDoT website.
**All photos in this article are courtesy of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Are you excited about these road improvements? Which of the four spans do you think is the most problematic? Let us know in the comments below!
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