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 Washington 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 roadwork 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 2025:

• 55% of the roadway has been replaced, improving drivability and safety. 
• 75% of the guardwall has been repaired or replaced, upgrading motorist safety.
• 80% of the drainage work is complete, reducing erosion and sediment run off.
• 65% of the bridge repairs are complete, rehabilitating aging infrastructure.
• 100% of the outfalls have been repaired, completing works to improve drainage structures that discharge water to nearby streams.

 

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 2025)

I-495 to Route 123

The National Park Service (NPS) continues working on the northbound lanes in this segment. In January 2024, 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. Crews continue temporary lane demolition and reconstructing the curb, drainage, and masonry guard wall and planting trees through 2025. Crews continue planting trees along the parkway median and northbound lanes. The northbound exit to and from Turkey Run Loop has reopened. Motorists may now access Turkey Run Park from the northbound parkway at all times except during weekend northbound lane closures as noted below. Drainage installation, roadway demolition, paving activities continue, resulting in temporary traffic closures. View detailed closure schedules below.

Lane Configuration: I-495 to North of Route 123

• Northbound Lane: Crews are rehabilitating the left northbound lane which remains closed at all times. The right northbound lane remains open to traffic at all times.
• 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.

Reversible Lane Schedule
The three-lane configuration extends from I-495 to north of Route 123. 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).
• One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

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

• Two lanes northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).
• 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).

Lane Configuration: North of Route 123 to Fort Marcy
Starting June 16 through mid-July, northbound travel will be limited to one lane at all times between Fort Marcy and north of Route 123. The parkway configuration in this area prevents a crossover necessary for the reversible lane to function while crews complete repairs on the left northbound lane. Motorists can expect one travel lane in each direction at all times.

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. 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.

 

Northbound GWMP traffic traveling toward Maryland will need to exit at Route 123 and follow signs to reach I-495 north.

NPS

June Northbound Parkway Weekend Closures for Roadwork

The National Park Service (NPS) continues weekend parkway closures for rehabilitation activities. This month, the NPS will temporarily close the northbound and southbound lanes between I-495 and Spout Run Parkway to continue barrier relocation and paving work on the northbound lanes. The closure schedule and details are listed below:

Northbound Parkway Closure Schedule: Route 123 to I-495

• Weekend: From 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 22

Detour Information: Motorists traveling northbound must exit at Route 123 and follow detour signs to reach I-495 north towards Maryland as shown on the detour map.

The exit to and from Turkey Run Park will be closed from northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) during these weekend closures. During this time, visitors should follow the detour to northbound I-495 and proceed to southbound GWMP to access Turkey Run Park.

 

Southbound GWMP traffic will need to exit at Route 123 and follow signs to Spout Run Parkway to re-enter GWMP.

NPS

Route 123 to Spout Run Parkway Construction Outlook

One southbound lane remains closed for construction through 2025. There will be no reversible lane in this section of the parkway. All work is weather permitting and subject to change. View below for construction details in each segment.

Lane Configuration (South of Route 123 – Spout Run Parkway): Early 2025 – Late 2025

• PM Rush Hour (2:45 – 7:15 p.m.): One lane will carry traffic southbound toward Washington D.C. and two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland/Virginia.
• All other times: There will be one lane open to traffic in each direction.

June Southbound Parkway Closure Schedule: Route 123 to Spout Run Parkway

• First Weekend: From 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 22
• Second Weekend: From 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 28 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 29

Detour Information: All southbound GWMP traffic must use the southbound GWMP ramp to Route 123 and follow detour signs to Spout Run Parkway to re-enter southbound GWMP toward Washington D.C. One northbound lane on GWMP will stay open.

All work is weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, work will be rescheduled. Any changes in the closure schedule above will be reflected here.

 

Route 123 Interchange Ramp Closures
The ramp from eastbound Route 123 to southbound GWMP will be closed on or around Thursday and Friday, June 12-13, weather permitting, for asphalt paving work.

Detour Information: Motorists traveling on Route 123 will need to follow detour signs to northbound GWMP and around Turkey Run loop to access southbound GWMP.

 

The ramp from the southbound GWMP to eastbound Route 123 will be closed from June 16 through late July, weather permitting. This closure is necessary for roadway demolition, asphalt paving, curb restoration, and landscaping along the ramp. During this time, motorists will exit onto westbound Route 123, make a u-turn at Merchant Lane, and proceed to eastbound Route 123.

Detour information: Motorists traveling on southbound GWMP should exit to westbound Route 123, make a u-turn at Merchant Lane, and proceed to eastbound Route 123.

 

During the evening rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland / Virginia. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction at all other times.

NPS

Route 123 to Windy Run Bridge

Crews continue construction activities on the right southbound lane including:

• Drainage installation
• Curb installation
• Roadway and guardrail demolition
• Asphalt paving

Fort Marcy and the North Donaldson Overlook remain inaccessible between 9 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.

 

During the evening rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland / Virginia. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction at all other times.

NPS

Windy Run Bridge to Spout Run Parkway

Crews have closed the left southbound lane for construction activities including:

• Curb and roadway installation
• Cement treatment
• Asphalt paving

 

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, Pimmit Run, Gulf Branch, Route 123 interchange, and Spout Run Arch Bridges: Repairs on and 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.
• Remember vehicles over 10,000 lbs. are always prohibited from using the parkway.

 

 

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.