All travel lanes on the Georgetown Pike bridge over I-495 in McLean are scheduled to be shifted to a new northern portion of the bridge over the weekend of Aug. 23-26. Drivers are advised to avoid the Georgetown Pike and I-495 interchange area all weekend. Lanes will be reduced on Georgetown Pike and I-495 (Capital Beltway) ramps will be closed with detours in place. These closures are necessary for crews to complete paving, lane markings, ramp tie-ins and other work to implement the shift. This work previously was scheduled to occur the weekend of Aug. 16-19 but was rescheduled to Aug. 23-26, due to weather conditions impacting advance preparatory work. During the weekend operation, Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495 will be reduced from five to two lanes with one lane only remaining open in each direction. Additionally, all ramps between the Beltway and Georgetown Pike will be closed with detours in effect. Closures are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. All lanes on Georgetown Pike are scheduled to be reopened and shifted onto the new northern section of the bridge, and all Beltway ramps reopened, by no later than 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. VDOT and its project partners are urging travelers to stay away from the area and take alternate routes to avoid expected congestion and backups on Georgetown Pike near the Beltway. If travel is necessary, drivers should plan additional time and expect delays. Drivers affected by the Beltway ramp closures should slow down, use caution and follow the signed detour routes. For more information about the traffic impacts and detour routes, visit 495next.vdot.virginia.gov. The new Georgetown Pike Bridge over I-495 is being built in phases to keep traffic moving throughout construction of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project. Working extended hours over a one-weekend period will enable crews needed time to build up pavement transition areas. This concentrated weekend period ultimately shortens the duration of impacts to local traffic. After all Georgetown Pike Bridge traffic is shifted to the newly opened northern section of the bridge, crews will demolish the existing southern portion of the bridge. A new southern portion is expected to open in mid-2025, with traffic shifted into its final configuration on the overall new bridge in late 2025. The upcoming Georgetown Pike Bridge traffic shift follows the recent opening of a new turn lane/ramp from westbound Georgetown Pike to northbound I-495. This lane/ramp opening provides drivers more gradual and smoother access in this busy interchange area. Get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511virginia.org, via the free mobile 511Virginia app, or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime. Visit 495next.vdot.virginia.gov for the latest construction and lane closure information. All work is weather dependent. | 