Construction efforts to rehabilitate the George Washing Memorial Parkway (GWMP) are underway between I-495 and Spout Run Parkway. Construction activities will impact drivers and park visitors for the duration of the rehabilitation. View construction updates under Current Construction. The project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
Rehabilitation Progress Along the Parkway Crews continue to make progress on rehabilitation work daily. As of April 2024:
Current Construction (Updated May 2024)I-495 to Route 123
Lane Configuration:
Ramp from Northbound GWMP to Northbound I-495 to Maryland to Close Overnight on Weekends for Drainage Work NPS is planning to close the exit ramp from northbound GWMP to northbound I-495 toward Maryland during the weekend of May 31 with a rain date of June 7 to install drainage pipes. The closure will be in effect with a detour starting at 8 p.m. on Friday through 5 a.m. on Monday. Route 123 Interchange Ramp Weekend Detours
Crews continue drainage work on the ramp from southbound Route 123 to southeast GWMP. The ramp closures will resume during weekends to complete activities as shown below:
Once this work is complete, construction crews will begin work on the ramp from northbound Route 123 to southeast GWMP, followed by the ramp from southeast GWMP to southbound Route 123. Route 123 to Windy Run Bridge A temporary three-lane configuration, with a middle reversible lane, between Route 123 to Windy Run Bridge, remains in effect. The right northbound lane is closed for rehabilitation work, including field surveying for drainage structures and outfalls, guardwall reconstruction and water erosion control activities at the outfalls. Crews will begin pouring concrete for curb reconstruction along the northbound lanes. These activities are expected to continue through the Spring. Upcoming Traffic Shift between Route 123 and Windy Run Bridge Anticipated this Summer The NPS is planning a traffic shift from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes in this segment this summer. The NPS will share more details ahead of the traffic shift. Through the Fall of 2024, both the North Donaldson Overlook and Fort Marcy will be inaccessible from the northbound right lane during non-rush hour times (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.). This configuration extends the existing right lane closure to allow for additional safe work zones for the expedition of rehabilitation work along the northbound shoulder. Reversible Lane Schedule Weekday morning rush hour (5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)
Weekday evening rush hour (2:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.)
Weekdays (9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.) weekends and major holidays
To increase safety, small physical barriers divide the narrow travel lanes. Commercial vehicles are restricted from the parkway at all times. Signage will direct drivers to the appropriate lanes. Motorists who wish to exit the parkway at the CIA and Route 123 must remain in the right lane. The center lane will be used as a through lane during rush hour for traffic to exit at either end of the parkway at I-495 or Spout Run Parkway. Northbound motorists who wish to exit the parkway onto I-495 into Maryland must remain in the right lane. During non-rush hour periods, weekends, and holidays, the center reversible lane will be closed, and motorists can expect two travel lanes: one travelling northbound and one travelling southbound. The NPS expects the three-lane traffic pattern to be in effect through late 2025.
Windy Run Bridge to Spout Run Parkway
Crews continue select tree removal activities ahead of rehabilitation work between Windy Run Bridge to Spout Run Parkway. Tree removal will be completed before temporary widening activities on the northbound side of the parkway begin later this year. Crews anticipate closing the right northbound lane in Spring 2024 for rehabilitation work. Crews anticipate a shift traffic in this segment in Summer. The NPS will share more information on timeline and schedule ahead of the traffic shift. Daily lane closures continue at the following times as crews prepare for rehabilitation activities: Weekday lane closures:
Saturday lane closures:
Nighttime lane closure hours (weather dependent):
All work is weather permitting. Bridge ConstructionCrews continue with bridge work:
Temporary barriers remain in place at Pimmit Run, Glebe Road, Gulf Branch, Donaldson Run, Dead Run, Windy Run, and Turkey Run bridges with narrower lane widths as work continues. No additional traffic delays are anticipated at this time. Construction Zone Safety Please slow down and be cautious while driving through work zones on the parkway.
Potomac Heritage National Trail Partially Closed through Fall 2024 A portion of the Potomac Heritage National Trail is closed under the Glebe Road Bridge for safety reasons. Crews installed containment platforms for blasting and painting activities under the bridge limiting space between the bridge and pedestrian trail. The partial closure of the trail is in place through the Fall of 2024 as a safe detour is unavailable. Signage has been posted at trail entrance and exit points. Click here for more information on the trail closure. Construction Signage on the North ParkwayFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) This project is the reconstruction of approximately 7.6 miles of the northern section of the GWMP between Spout Run and the I-495/Capital Beltway in Fairfax and Arlington counties, Virginia. This project will improve the driving experience, safety, and water drainage while retaining and enhancing the historic beauty and culture of the parkway.
This rehabilitation includes:
This project is the first rehabilitation in this section of parkway since it was completed in 1962. Once completed, this historic parkway will continue to provide a safe, scenic, and smooth experience for those who are using it to connect to our nation’s history or as a way to get to and from our nation's capital. The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA - EFLHD), continue the process of rehabilitating the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP).
The northern section of the GWMP, between Spout Run to I-495/Capital Beltway, is the busiest section of the parkway and serves about 26 million drivers annually. It is a four-lane divided scenic parkway that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a major commuter route between northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., carrying roughly 70,000 vehicles per day. It also provides access to several recreational and historic sites along the roadway. The physical roadway is reaching the end of its lifespan in the northern part of the parkway. NPS wants to rehabilitate the historic parkway to provide a safe and scenic experience while extending its lifespan. This project will repair and rehabilitate deteriorating aspects of the roadway as well as implement safety improvements while preserving the cultural and historical characteristics of the parkway.
Construction activities began in August 2022. The project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025. In September 2018, the NPS achieved a major milestone project by completing an environmental review completed for the rehabilitation. The NPS completed an Environmental Assessment and analyzed public comments before deciding how best to rehabilitate the north section of the parkway.
The National Park Service's preferred alternative for the is intersection is to consolidate Route 123 on-ramps to southbound GWMP at a new intersection east of Pine Tree Road (modified diamond interchange). Conceptual map is depicted below. North Parkway News |
Last updated: May 16, 2024