January 3, 2025

What's Happening?

Following completion of work on the future Old Dominion Drive Bridge and roadway approaches, the new bridge is planned to open by mid to late January 2025. Before the bridge opens, crews must complete curb and gutter work; pave the approaches; install guardrails, signage and lane markings; and demobilize the staging areas on both sides of the bridge. Work is weather dependent, and cold temperatures may delay paving.

Crews have been working on the new bridge and approaches and are planning to shift traffic in January.

Immediately after the new bridge opens, crews will demolish the 63-year-old existing bridge during overnight hours. Demolition involves hammering, saw cutting and crushing the concrete deck, and lifting/removing chunks of concrete and steel beams with cranes. For safety reasons, this work must occur during overnight hours, as it requires multiple lanes on I-495 (Capital Beltway) to be closed.

Additionally, demolition work will require reducing Old Dominion Drive to a single lane, with flaggers directing traffic in alternating directions. Demolition of the old bridge is anticipated to be completed by late February to early March. 

What to Expect:

Residents can expect continued impacts in the area as crews complete the new bridge and demolish the old bridge. Nighttime bridge demolition will involve:  

• Noise from hammers, saws and hydraulic crushers that demolish the concrete deck.
• Noise from back-up alarms (required for safety reasons).
• Engine noise from trucks and cranes.
• Light pollution from light towers. To the extent feasible, lights will be directed away from residential areas, but some light pollution is unavoidable.

The 495 NEXT project team appreciates neighbors’ patience as this impactful work is performed. 

Resources

Learn how various features of the 495 NEXT project interact with your property by using the interactive map on 495NEXT.vdot.virginia.gov. Enter your address in the search bar to view your home in relation to various project features, including the future Beltway itself and location of replacement noise walls.

Check 495NEXT.vdot.virginia.gov for the latest construction updates and to sign up to receive the project newsletter and other information.

Construction plans are subject to change due to weather, utility relocations performed by outside companies, resequencing of work to facilitate on-time completion of the overall project, and other factors.

Questions?

Email: 495NorthernExtension@vdot.virginia.gov

Call: Construction Inquiry Line, 703-592-6430

Virginia Department of Transportation, Michelle Holland, 703-586-0487

Transurban, Michael McGurk, 571-421-5364

Lane Construction, John Undeland, 703-785-3461