North Parkway Construction, News, and Impacts

This infographic displays the areas that are under construction and the anticipated schedule.

NPS

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.

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Rehabilitation Progress Along the Parkway

Crews continue to make progress on rehabilitation work daily. As of Spring 2024:

• 26% of the roadway has been replaced, improving drivability and safety. 
• 45% of the guardwall has been repaired or replaced, upgrading motorist safety.
• 60% of the drainage work is complete, reducing erosion and sediment run off.
• 40% of the outfalls have been repaired, improving drainage structures that discharge water to nearby streams.
• 45% of the bridge repairs are complete, rehabilitating aging infrastructure. 

 

During the morning rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic southbound toward Washington, DC. During the evening rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland.

NPS

Current Construction (Updated June 2024)

I-495 to Route 123

The National Park Service (NPS) has entered the next phase of the North Parkway Rehabilitation Project. In January, the three-lane traffic pattern, with a reversible lane, between I-495 and Route 123 shifted from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes of the parkway. The NPS expects this three-lane traffic pattern to be in effect through late 2025. Crews continue repairs on the northbound side of the parkway, including reconstructing the existing roadway, curb, drainage, and masonry guard wall.

Lane Configuration:

• Temporary Lane: The temporary lane remains in place in the median of the parkway between the Route 123 interchange and I-495. This temporary lane will always travel north and drivers heading toward Maryland must use this lane.
• Southbound Lane / Center Lane: The southbound lane closest to the median (or center lane) is a reversible lane and will change direction to travel southbound during the morning rush hour and northbound during the evening rush hour. This lane is closed outside of weekday rush hour, on weekends and holidays.
• Southbound Lane: The southbound lane next to the outside shoulder lane will always travel south.

 

Detour route for Southbound Route 123 to Southeast GWMP.

NPS

Route 123 Interchange Ramp Weekend Detours

Crews continue rehabilitation activities and weekend ramp closures at the Route 123 interchange through Spring. Construction activities requiring the ramp closures include select tree removal, drainage installation, installation of permanent asphalt pavement, and and temporary widening activities. Detours will be in place as shown within the closure details.

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:

• Weekdays between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for curb construction.

• Continuous weekend closure starting each Friday at 8 p.m. continuing through to Sunday at 11:59 p.m. for drainage installation and permanent asphalt paving.

 

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.

 

During the morning rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic southbound toward Washington, D.C. During the evening rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland.

NPS

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 guardwall reconstruction, water erosion control activities, grass seeding at the outfalls, pipe installation for electrical wiring, and curb reconstruction. Roadway demolition for upcoming paving and temporary widening activities are underway at the Route 123 interchange ahead of the upcoming traffic shift anticipated later this summer. 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
The three-lane configuration extends from I-495 to just south of Windy Run Bridge. The reversible lane schedule is as follows:

Weekday morning rush hour (5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)

• Two lanes southbound (toward Washington, DC).

  • Drivers who need to exit at Route 123 or CIA Headquarters must use the right lane.

• One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

Weekday evening rush hour (2:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.)

• Two lanes northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

  • Drivers who need to exit at Route 123, CIA Headquarters or towards Maryland must use the right lane.
  • Drivers who need to exit towards Virginia on I-495 should use the center lane.

• One lane southbound (toward Washington, DC).

Weekdays (9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.) weekends and major holidays

• One lane southbound (toward Washington, DC).

• One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

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 this year. 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:

• Northbound lane closures from 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

• Southbound lane closures from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday lane closures:

• Northbound left lane from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Southbound left lane from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nighttime lane closure hours (weather dependent):

• Northbound lane closures from 7:15 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

• Southbound lane closures from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

All work is weather permitting.

 

During bridge work, a three-lane configuration will be in place with a barrier to separate traffic from the work zone.

NPS

Bridge Construction

Crews continue with bridge work:

• Turkey Run, Donaldson Run, Glebe Road, Windy Run, Dead Run, and Gulf Branch Bridges: Repairs on and below the bridge surface.
• Donaldson Run Bridge: Containment platform installation and perform repairs below the bridge surface.
• The containment platform remains in place at Turkey Run loop with limited clearance between the platform and the bridge.

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.

• Drivers should observe traffic signs for updated information.

• A 40 MPH speed limit remains in effect from the I-495 interchange to Spout Run Parkway to help keep construction crew and motorists safe. This speed limit will be in place for the remainder of the project and is enforced as such.

• To avoid traffic delays on the northern section of the parkway, drivers should consider alternate routes and plan for additional travel time.

 

Potomac Heritage National Trail Partially Closed through Late 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 late 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 Parkway

 

This is the temporary construction signage motorists will see while traveling along the North Parkway.

NPS

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) North Parkway Rehabilitation project?

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.

What can the public expect from this project?

This rehabilitation includes:  

• replacing the asphalt pavement 

• redesigning portions of the Route 123 interchange 

• repairing stormwater management systems  

• replacing and updating drainage inlets and culverts  

• stabilizing erosion 

• constructing turnarounds for emergency vehicles  

• rehabilitating two historic overlooks 

• lengthening entrance and exit lanes at some interchanges to improve traffic safety 

• reconstructing stone walls and improving roadside barriers 

• and re-opening historic views along the parkway

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.

Who is responsible for the project?

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).

Why is the project needed?

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.

What is the duration of the project?

Construction activities began in August 2022. The project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.

What planning has been done for this project?

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.

What are the proposed changes to the 123 intersection?

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.

This would:
• Realign entrance to the Route 123 eastbound on-ramp to southbound GWMP mainline. The roadway would be realigned to be opposite the consolidated off-ramp from southbound GWMP.
• Maintain tight northbound GWMP exit ramp to both eastbound and westbound Route 123.
• Remove existing ramps in the northwest quadrant of the interchange (Earth Tech 2005).
• Install stormwater management (SWM) best management practices consistent with VDEQ requirements.

For more information see the Environmental Assessment document.