495 NEXT NEWS
I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) Project Update
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Issue 14 | November 21, 2023 | |
- New noise wall construction now in high gear
- Several neighborhoods to experience fall/winter pile driving noise as part of bridge construction
- Next steps on Live Oak Drive
- Fall 2023 construction photos
- Updated interactive map
- Applications invited for Transurban’s 495 NEXT community grants
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New Noise Wall Construction Now in High Gear | |
The 495 NEXT project anticipates completion of new and replacement noise walls by early 2025 | |
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Removing nearly four miles of noise walls to enable construction of the project’s four additional traffic lanes, the new bike-pedestrian path and other project elements was an early activity in the project’s construction.
In fall 2023, crews completed demolition of old noise walls, with the exception of a segment along Live Oak Drive that is anticipated to be removed in early-to-mid 2024.
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New noise wall construction has advanced significantly since this photo was taken in mid-October 2023. | |
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Replacing removed noise walls with new, upgraded noise walls and building new noise walls where none previously existed, is a top priority of the project. In spring 2023, a short segment of new noise wall was installed adjacent to the southbound Beltway between the Live Oak Drive bridge and Georgetown Pike.
Starting last September, construction of replacement noise walls moved into high gear along the northbound Beltway between Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike. As of mid-November, more than 55 sections of new noise wall had been installed. Noise wall construction in this stretch is anticipated to be completed in mid 2024.
The following chart details currently planned start and finish timeframes for noise wall construction for the length of the project. These timeframes are subject to change due to the construction schedule and weather.
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Planned Timeframes for Replacement and New Noise Wall Construction | |
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| New/replacement walls | |
| Previously existing walls being replaced | |
| Existing walls not being replaced | | |
Several Neighborhoods to Experience Fall/Winter Pile Driving Noise as Part of Bridge Construction | |
Spanning the wider future Beltway requires replacing three bridges at Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive. In addition, the future ramp from southbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike requires a new bridge. | |
Workers prepare to drive a pile for foundation of the new Live Oak Drive bridge. (October 2023) | |
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With the center piers on all replacement bridges completed, work on the abutments is now underway. This work includes driving steel piles into the ground to support the bridge abutments and piers.
Pile driving generally occurs during daytime hours, so neighbors should expect to hear hammer strikes during these operations.
In advance of this noisy work, the project team has and will continue to hand-deliver flyers to nearby neighbors and post the flyers on 495next.org
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Pile driving operations are planned to occur during the following timeframes:
- Live Oak Drive bridge:
- West abutment – early/mid-November
- East abutment – December/January
- Reconfigured ramp from southbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike
- West abutment – early/mid-November
- East abutment – early/mid-November
- Georgetown Pike bridge:
- West abutment – late November/mid-December
- (East abutment was completed in early fall 2023)
- Old Dominion Drive bridge:
- East abutment – early/mid-November
- West abutment – late November/early December
Following pile driving, crews will complete the abutments, and in certain locations, relocate utility lines. Next, support beams will be placed on the new bridge abutments and piers, an activity that must be performed during nighttime hours when lanes on the Beltway below can be closed for safety reasons. Finally, the concrete deck, road markings, lighting, signage and other elements will be constructed.
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Next Steps on Live Oak Drive | |
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Construction has progressed extensively on Live Oak Drive this fall. The following sequence of work has or will occur to prepare for the shift of a short segment of Live Oak Drive in the vicinity of the Langley Swim and Tennis Club.
- Overhead utility lines were relocated onto new poles that were installed slightly to the west of the road and the old poles were removed.
- In October, crews began excavating next to Live Oak Drive to install new drainage pipes and structures as well as a new water line. This portion of drainage and water line work is anticipated to be completed in mid-to-late November.
- Work will turn to constructing the sub-base and pavement of the realigned Live Oak Drive, with completion anticipated in early 2024.
- Traffic will be switched onto the new segment of the road in early 2024.
- Finally, the abandoned segment of Live Oak Drive will be demolished in early-to-mid 2024.
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In October 2023, crews installed new drainage adjacent to the Langley Swim and Tennis Club. A short segment of Live Oak Drive will be built on top of the drainage in this location. | |
The current noise wall adjacent to the above work is planned for removal in early-to-mid 2024. | |
Fall 2023 Construction Photos | |
Almost a quarter mile of lined-up drainage segments awaits installation along northbound I-495. | |
In late October, traffic was switched onto a new ramp from southbound I-495 to Georgetown Pike. The retired ramp on the right will be demolished in the coming months. | |
Excavation for the installation of new drainage and water line on Live Oak Drive. | |
The nearly completed center pier of the new Old Dominion Drive bridge and drainage pipes awaiting installation. | |
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Looking for how the 495 NEXT project will affect your home, community or commute? The 495 NEXT interactive map was recently updated to reflect current design plans and elements. Users will find project features that are color-coded on the map and identified in the legend.
Users can enter a street address and the map will zoom in to provide a variety of customizable views. These views include locations of the future express and general-purpose travel lanes, ramps, bike-pedestrian paths, sidewalks, new and replacement bridges, right-of-way and construction easements, property lines, new and replacement noise walls, stormwater management facilities and more.
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Example of 495 NEXT interactive map showing zoomed in features and elements at the Scott's Run/Old Dominion Drive area. | |
Applications Invited for 495 NEXT Community Grant Program | |
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Groups dedicated to improving communities along the 495 NEXT corridor are invited to submit applications for Transurban's 495 NEXT Community Grant program.
Transurban, the developer and operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, is seeking opportunities to respond to the needs of local organizations and direct impact neighborhoods located within the 495 NEXT Express Lanes corridor in the following categories:
- Environment – projects that enhance or protect the environment
- Community – projects that support health, economic development or well-being
- Safety – projects that support safety initiatives including road, child, education
The next deadline to apply for a community grant is December 31, 2023.
Click here to learn more about Transurban’s Express Lanes Community Grant programs and how to apply.
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The I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project is extending the existing 495 Express Lanes north by two-and-a-half miles from the Dulles Corridor interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge. The project is providing new and improved connections at the Dulles Corridor and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Other project benefits include four miles of new bicycle and pedestrian connections including a shared-use path parallel to I-495 from Lewinsville Road to near Live Oak Drive, replacement or rehabilitation of seven bridges with pedestrian accommodations, replacement of nine existing noise walls and construction of a new noise wall along Live Oak Drive in the vicinity of the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange, environmental improvements introducing stormwater management facilities and funding restoration of the stream at Scotts Run, and dedicated funding to support transit improvements in the corridor including new bus service over the American Legion Bridge.
495 NEXT is a public-private partnership project between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Transurban, operator of the existing 495 Express Lanes. Lane Construction is the design-build contractor for the project. The new extended lanes are scheduled to open in 2025.
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Learn More About the Project | |
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Email: 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov
Call: Construction Inquiry Line, 703-592-6430
Virginia Department of Transportation, Michelle Holland, 703-586-0487
Transurban, Amanda Allen, 571-249-8784
Lane Construction, John Undeland, 703-785-3461
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