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By KELLY HANNON
SPRINGFIELD
--Construction vehicles are rolling onto Interstate 95 overnight this spring between Woodbridge and Springfield, expanding the highway to carry another 1,200 vehicles an hour.And unlike other construction projects, this one should cause minimal disruption to Fredericksburg-area commuters.
"Primarily, the work will not affect motorists, because we're going to mostly close shoulders," said Steve Titunik, communications director for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Mega Projects. "We're building in outside lanes."
VDOT is adding a fourth lane on I-95 north and south between the Fairfax County Parkway and State Route 123 south of the Occoquan River.
The $123 million widening project is being paid for with a combination of state and federal funds.
When VDOT does need to close a lane between Exit 160 and Exit 166, it will not happen during rush hour or a holiday weekend.
Lane closures will usually occur overnight, between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday to Thursday.
Any lane closures on a Friday will happen from 9 a.m. to noon.
The center High Occupancy Vehicle lanes will remain open during the work.
A portion of the fourth northbound lane will open in November 2009, and a segment of the fourth southbound lane will open in September 2010. The entire project should be completed in summer 2011.
The fourth I-95 lane is an extension of the traffic improvements at the $676 million rebuild of the Springfield Interchange.
That interchange is so efficient at tying together incoming traffic from interstates 395 and 495 that it creates a backup further down the road.
"All the traffic flies through Springfield, but in the afternoon, it backs up heavy at Newington, where you go from four to three lanes," Titunik said.
When the fourth lane opens, traffic should move more freely to the Lorton and Woodbridge exits. Interchange ramps will be widened in the corridor, making it easier for vehicles to access I-95 between Springfield and Woodbridge.
"The whole focus is to improve the flow on and off 95," Titunik said.
Work over the next few weeks will involve setting up the construction zone, putting up Jersey walls. This summer, crews will work on some of the 10 bridges. The largest is the bridge over the Occoquan River.
Steel work requiring more extensive lane closures at the bridges could be necessary, and the public will be notified at least two weeks in advance, Titunik said.
Crews must do bridge work in the spring and summer for environmental reasons, so they don't disturb wildlife at the river.
The widening project should be completed as jobs shift to Fort Belvoir in 2011 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendation. Planners expect commuters will exit at the Fairfax County Parkway to reach the base's Engineer Proving Ground, just north of the parkway.
The extra northbound lane on I-95 should make that morning commute quicker, Titunik said.
"Cars exiting will get there sooner," he said.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com
| VDOT WILLING TO TALK
Are you a member of a group that wants to learn more about VDOT Mega Projects in Northern Virginia, including the High Occupancy Toll lane project on VDOT is willing to host a booth at community events, or speak at town hall meetings and other sizable gatherings, such as homeowner association meetings. If you are interested, e-mail Steve Titunik, Mega Projects Communications Director at Steven.Titu nik@VDOT.Vir ginia.gov. Want to read more about the fourth lane widening project on
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| MILESTONE 1
I-95 NB opens to traffic Nov. 5, 2009 MILESTONE 2I-95 SB opens I-95 NB and SB substantial completion, July 12, 2011 |
