Drivers in Virginia should be prepared for cones, congestion, and road rage resulting from weekend lane closures on I-395 through Labor Day.
As if we didn't have enough traffic headaches to deal with during the week, right? Lane closures are expected to affect traffic in the main lanes on I-395 for six consecutive weekends beginning late on Friday, July 20. The work is scheduled to take place from Friday nights through early Monday mornings, blocking two lanes at various locations all weekend long.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says the cause for the lane closures is that multiple bridges require rehabbing between the Beltway and Washington. Overall, the bridge improvement work involves removing and replacing bridge deck surfaces on the Four Mile Run Bridge, as well as five bridges that are part of the I-395 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project, which is extending the I-95 Express Lanes eight miles north to the D.C. line.
What to Expect
Forget about WHY this is happening -- Let's talk about how it affects us.
-
Two general purpose lanes on I-395 will close for entire weekend periods starting on Friday nights through Monday mornings (alternating between south- and northbound directions, depending on location of bridge work). Additional lane closures will occur in the opposite direction of I-395 as needed to allow crews to access work areas.
-
At least two general purpose lanes will remain open on I-395 (in both directions) during peak-travel daytime hours.
-
To help ease traffic impacts, the HOV lanes from just north of Edsall Road to the D.C. line will be open in the same direction as the bridge work, whether northbound or southbound.
-
Thru-traffic (northbound to D.C. and southbound to Springfield) will be encouraged to use the HOV lanes, while local traffic will need to use the two open general purpose lanes.
-
Weekly updates with specific closure information will be available at 395ExpressLanes.com and VDOT's 395 Express Lanes Web Page.
-
Current plans call for the reversible I-95 Express Lanes, from near Edsall Road to past Garrisonville Road in Stafford, to operate according to their normal schedule.
How will these weekend lane closures on I-395 affect YOU? Vent all over us in the comments!
