Issue 13 | September 29, 2023

• Tree clearing and noise wall update
• Building bridges: Pile driving this fall for new bridges
• Safety first: Slow down and use caution when traveling through the 495 NEXT work zone
• 495 NEXT team available to meet with communities
• Applications invited for Transurban’s 495 NEXT community grants

Vertical posts are being installed to support noise wall panels along northbound I-495 between Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike.

Installation of new and replacement noise walls has begun including construction of a small noise wall section alongside the southbound I-495 ramp to Georgetown Pike, and vertical posts for the new noise wall along northbound I-495 between Old Dominion Drive and Georgetown Pike. 

Noise wall construction will proceed on a rolling basis, with scheduling based upon completion of the necessary preceding work. While the schedule is subject to change, installation of the earliest future noise wall segments is planned to start in late 2023 and be completed by mid-2024. Construction of later segments are slated to begin in late 2024/early 2025 and be completed in 2025. 

Major progress is occurring on new bridges being built to span the wider Beltway at Live Oak Drive, Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive.

Live Oak Drive

Construction of the new bridge’s abutments is planned to begin this fall, starting with the eastern abutment on the Balls Hill Road-side of the Beltway followed by the western abutment adjacent to Langley Swim and Tennis Club. As is the case with other new 495 NEXT bridges, pile driving is required to construct bridge abutments. 

Georgetown Pike

With utility relocations and the eastern abutment adjacent to Holy Trinity Church recently completed, work is turning to the western abutment of the new Georgetown Pike Bridge. Work in this location will require additional pile driving.

The recently-completed eastern abutment for the new Georgetown Pike bridge. The western abutment and abutments for the bridges at Live Oak Drive and Old Dominion will be similar.

Old Dominion Drive

This bridge spans not only the Beltway but also Scott’s Run Preserve. With the two center piers completed, work this fall will focus on building the eastern abutment first, followed by the western abutment. Pile driving is necessary to build both abutments.  

After completing the bridge abutments, crews will mount steel beams from the abutments to the earlier-completed center piers, which will require the closure of all Beltway lanes below for safety reasons. Next, deck pans and steel rebar will be placed, followed by concrete pours to complete the bridge decks. The final elements of this bridge construction include installing sidewalks, barriers, traffic signals, signage, and lane striping. 

Site of future abutment for the new Old Dominion Drive bridge on the west side of the Beltway.

Help Ensure That You, Other Travelers and Construction Crews Get Home Safe 

Construction is in full swing throughout the 2.5-mile 495 NEXT project corridor, which means lane closures and reduced shoulders are necessary to allow crews to safely complete 495 NEXT project work.

With high-speed Beltway traffic passing within feet of 495 NEXT workers, motorists are urged to slow down, use caution and eliminate distractions. Heightened caution is especially important during nighttime hours when multiple lane closures are often in place, and visibility can be reduced.

To improve the safety of both workers and motorists, the 495 NEXT team recently deployed radar speed display signs at strategic locations along the corridor. These signs show motorists their current speed, reminding drivers to adhere to the posted 55 miles per hour speed limit. Motorists ticketed for speeding in Virginia work zones can face fines that range up to $500 per citation.

Work crews installing asphalt during nighttime hours.

Additionally, the project recently launched radio and digital ads aimed at raising driver awareness of the need to drive safely through 495 NEXT work zones.

VDOT and its 495 NEXT partners are committed to raising awareness of the potential dangers of highway work zones, which claimed 22 lives across Virginia in 2022. Nationwide, more than 80% of those who die in work zone crashes are motorists or passengers. 

Highway workers and motorists all play a key role in work zone safety.

“On any given 24-hour period, 120 of our workers are in the field and vulnerable,” said Brian Basnight, senior project manager for 495 NEXT contractor Lane Construction. “As motorists drive through our work zones, we ask them to drive as if their own father or mother, sister or brother, son or daughter is working here.”

The 495 NEXT project team is available to meet with homeowner and community associations, and other community groups, either virtually or in person. Groups interested in scheduling a briefing are invited to contact the project team at 495northernextension@vdot.virignia.gov.

Transurban, the developer and operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes, manages a competitive grant program to benefit the local community as part of the 495 NEXT project. The 495 NEXT Community Grant program awards grants every quarter to non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and other entities that sustain, enhance or protect the local environment and neighborhoods in proximity to the 495 NEXT project corridor.  

Application deadlines are:

• March 31
• June 30
• September 30
• December 31

Click here to learn more about Transurban’s Express Lanes Community Grant programs and how to apply.

Questions?

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