Major weekend traffic delays expected on northbound I 495 in Tysons-McLean area due to multi lane closures
McLean, Virginia – Motorists traveling through the Tysons-McLean area this weekend should prepare for significant delays and detours due to multi-lane and ramp closures on northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop). The scheduled closures, part of the ongoing 495 NEXT project, are set to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 12, and will continue through 9 a.m. Sunday, September 14.
The work is necessary for crews to shift the general-purpose lanes into their final alignment and reopen the right-hand shoulders through most of the corridor. In addition, the ramp from northbound I-495 to westbound Dulles Toll Road (DTR) at Exit 45 will reopen at its permanent location, roughly one-third of a mile north of the temporary exit currently in use.
Lane Closures and Detours in Phases
The closures will be implemented in several phases over the weekend:
Friday, 9 p.m. – Saturday, 8 a.m.:
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One lane will close at 9 p.m., followed by a triple-lane closure by 10 p.m. from Leesburg Pike (Route 7) to north of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP).
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By 8 a.m. Saturday, three lanes are expected to reopen.
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The ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road to northbound I-495 (Exit 18B) will be closed with a detour in place.
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Crews will shift the entry point of Exit 45.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.:
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The far-right lane from north of the Lewinsville Road overpass to GWMP will remain closed, though all exit access will stay open during this period.
Saturday, 9 p.m. – Sunday, 9 a.m.:
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Another triple-lane closure will begin at 10 p.m. from Leesburg Pike to north of GWMP.
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All four lanes are scheduled to reopen by 9 a.m. Sunday.
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Multiple ramps to and from northbound I-495 will be closed and detoured, including:
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Southbound Route 123 to northbound I-495
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Eastbound and westbound DTR to northbound I-495 (Exits 18B and 18)
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Northbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike (Exit 44)
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Georgetown Pike to northbound I-495
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Northbound I-495 to GWMP (Exit 43)
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Ramp closures will be staggered and reopened as soon as work is completed throughout the night.
Motorists Should Expect Delays
Drivers are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes, especially during overnight hours when lane closures are at their peak. For those who must travel through the area, extra travel time is advised to accommodate the detours and traffic congestion.
Following the weekend shift, eastbound Dulles Toll Road drivers merging onto northbound I-495 will experience a temporarily shortened merge lane. While the current ramp configuration allows a long merge zone that extends past the Lewinsville Road overpass, the new configuration will temporarily limit that distance until the Express Lanes officially open.
Weather Contingency Plan
In case of poor weather or other delays, the entire operation may be postponed to the following weekend, beginning Friday, September 19, and ending Sunday, September 21.
This realignment marks a significant milestone in the 495 NEXT project, which aims to improve traffic flow, expand capacity, and modernize infrastructure along one of Northern Virginia’s most traveled corridors.
