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 project is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
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Crews continue to make progress on rehabilitation work daily. As of Summer 2024:
26% of the roadway has been replaced, improving drivability and safety.
59% of the guardwall has been repaired or replaced, upgrading motorist safety.
68% of the drainage work is complete, reducing erosion and sediment run off.
85% of the outfalls have been repaired, improving drainage structures that discharge water to nearby streams.
60% 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 September 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.
Reversible Lane Schedule
The three-lane configuration extends from I-495 to the Route 123 Interchange. 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).
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. The NPS expects the three-lane traffic pattern to be in effect through late 2025.
Route 123 Interchange Ramp Closures and Detours
Crews continue rehabilitation activities and weekend ramp closures at the Route 123 interchange through Fall, weather permitting. Construction activities requiring the ramp closures include select tree removal, drainage installation, curb work, installation of permanent asphalt pavement, and temporary widening activities. Detours will be in place as shown within the closure details.
Detour route for northbound GWMP ramp to southbound Route 123.
NPS
The ramp from northbound GWMP to southbound Route 123 will be closed on September 9, weather permitting, through late September. During the closure, motorists should continue on northbound GWMP and follow detour signs around Turkey Run loop, continue toward southbound GWMP and proceed to Route 123 as shown on the detour map.
Route 123 to Spout Run Parkway Construction Outlook
As part of the next phase of the North Parkway Rehabilitation Project, one northbound lane of GWMP will be closed from June 29 through late 2024 between the Route 123 interchange and Spout Run Parkway. There will be no reversible lane in this section of the Parkway.
Lane Configuration: June – Late 2024
AM Rush Hour (5:30-9:30 a.m.): One lane will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland/Virginia and two lanes will carry traffic southbound toward D.C.
All other times: There will be one lane open to traffic in each direction.
On select weekends, both northbound lanes will be closed to allow crews to perform drainage, utility, tree clearing and asphalt paving work. During this time, northbound traffic will be detoured from Spout Run Parkway to Glebe Road to Route 123. The NPS will provide more details ahead of each detour. Learn more about construction activities in each segment below.
During the morning rush hour, one lane will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland/Virginia and two lanes will carry traffic southbound toward D.C. There will be one lane of traffic in each direction at all other times.
NPS
Route 123 to Windy Run Bridge
The left northbound lane is closed on September 16, weather permitting, through late 2024 for rehabilitation work including:
Drainage installation
Cement treatment and asphalt installation
Conduit installation for electrical wiring
The North Donaldson Overlook parking areas have reopened. Crews have begun lane striping in the parking area which will continue through early Fall. Through Fall 2024, Fort Marcy will be inaccessible from the northbound right lane during non-rush hour times (9 a.m. - 5:30 a.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.
Select tree and vine removal is underway at viewsheds between North Donaldson Overlook and Spout Run Parkway along the northbound and southbound lanes. This work is intended to restore vegetation and remove view obstructions.
Motorists will use the inner northbound lane to travel as construction will close the outer travel lane. Only one lane will carry traffic northbound at all times. During the morning rush hour only, two lanes will carry traffic southbound; there will be one lane southbound at all other times.
NPS
Windy Run Bridge to Spout Run Parkway
The right northbound lane will be closed through mid-fall for rehabilitation activities including:
Excavation and drainage structure installation
Guardwall repairs
Roadway and curb demolition
Cement treatment and asphalt installation
Water and erosion control activities
Future Phases
There will be additional traffic changes later this fall as the project progresses.
Spout Run Parkway to Windy Run Bridge: The NPS expects to shift traffic from the inner (left) to the outer (right) northbound lane in mid-fall through late 2024. The northbound lanes will both reopen upon completion in late 2024. Long-term lane closures on the southbound lanes are scheduled for spring 2025 through late 2025.
Windy Run Bridge to Route 123: The NPS plans to shift traffic to the northbound lanes in late 2024/early 2025. Long-term lane closures continue in 2025.
The NPS will share more details before each traffic shift. All work is weather permitting and subject to change.
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.
Turkey Run Bridge: Crews will work at night for bridge surface overlay between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. with one lane of traffic open in each direction. No additional lane closures are anticipated for this work.
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.
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)
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:
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.
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.
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.
