Expect Lane, Ramp Closures Around I-495/66 Interchange This Weekend

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Continuing bridge beam installation at the Interstate 495 and 66 interchange will prompt lane closures, traffic stoppages, and ramp closures overnight on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Oct. 29 and Saturday, Oct. 30, northbound I-495 traffic will be crossed over to the northbound 495 Express Lanes approaching Route 29 (Lee Highway). Drivers will not be charged for using this 495 Express Lanes detour.

In addition, ramps from I-66 East to I-495 North, I-495 North to I-66 West, and I-495 North to I-66 East will be closed and have detours. Northbound I-495 and westbound I-66 will have nightly lane closures with a single lane open approaching the interchange.

All work is weather dependent. Sunday, Oct. 31 is a backup date in case of inclement weather.

Here are the full details:

I-495 North from Route 29 to I-66: I-495 North approaching Route 29 will be reduced to one travel lane Friday night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Around 10 p.m. nightly, northbound I-495 traffic will be crossed over into the northbound 495 Express Lanes at Route 29. Drivers will not be charged for using the Express Lanes for the detour. All lanes will reopen by 7 a.m. Saturday, and by 8 a.m. Sunday.

495 Express Lanes North from Robinson Terminal (the beginning of the Express Lanes in Springfield) to Route 29: The northbound Express Lanes will be reduced to a single travel lane. Drivers will not be changed for using the Express Lanes north of Route 29.

Ramp from I-66 East to I-495 North: The ramp will be closed Friday night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Traffic will be directed to take the left exit to the 495 Express Lanes North. Drivers will not be charged for using the Express Lanes for the detour.

Ramp from I-495 North to I-66 West: The ramp will be closed Friday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. All northbound I-495 traffic will be diverted into the northbound 495 Express Lanes at Route 29. Drivers will not be charged for using the Express Lanes for the detour. Northbound traffic traveling to westbound I-66 will be directed to continue north to Route 7 (Leesburg Pike), stay to the left and turn left at the traffic signal onto Route 7 West, stay to the right to southbound I-495, and then exit to westbound I-66.

Ramp from I-495 North to I-66 East: The ramp will be closed Friday night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. All northbound I-495 traffic will be diverted into the northbound 495 Express Lanes at Route 29. Drivers will not be charged for using the Express Lanes for the detour. Northbound traffic traveling to eastbound I-66 will be directed to continue north to Route 7 East, stay to the right and turn right at the traffic signal onto Route 7 East, travel about one mile, then follow signs to eastbound I-66.

I-66 West at I-495: Westbound I-66 will be reduced to a single travel lane Friday night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., and Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. All lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. Saturday, and by 7 a.m. Sunday.

The I-495/66 interchange is getting several new ramps and connections as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project adding I-66 Express Lanes between I-495 and University Boulevard in Gainesville. There will be access to and from the existing 495 Express Lanes and new I-66 Express Lanes as well as connections between the tolled lanes and general lanes. The Express Lanes are anticipated to open in December 2022.