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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Configuration of the reversible lanes north of Route 123 during morning and afternoon rush hour.  There is always one lane going north and one going south. The middle lane reverses depending on rush hour.

NPS

Current Construction (Updated September 2023)

I-495 to Route 123
A temporary three-lane configuration has been implemented in the northbound lanes between I-495 and Route 123. This closure allows construction crews full access to the southbound side of the road, reducing the construction schedule. The southbound lanes will be closed until late 2023 for rehabilitation activities including reconstructing the existing roadway, curb, drainage, and masonry guard wall. Once rehabilitation is completed on the southbound side of the parkway, traffic will be moved onto the southbound lanes to allow work on the northbound side.

 

GWMP & Route 123 Interchange Ramp Closures

Crews anticipate closing the Route 123 interchange ramps Saturdays and Sundays in October from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for drainage work, weather permitting. Crews will first close the southbound GWMP ramp to westbound Route 123. After work is complete on the westbound Route 123 ramp, crews will close the southbound GWMP ramp to eastbound Route 123. The closures are expected to take place on separate weekends. NPS will alert motorists ahead of the closure. Motorists should expect additional delays and consider alternate routes.

 

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, is now in effect. The right northbound lane is closed for rehabilitation work, including demolition activities and tree removal at the outfalls. This work extends the three-lane configuration 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 must use the left 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.) and weekends

• 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 and weekends, motorists can expect two travel lanes: one travelling northbound and one travelling southbound at all times. The center reversible lane will be closed during this time.

The NPS expects the three-lane traffic pattern to be in effect through late 2025.

 

Windy Run Bridge to Spout Run Parkway

Crews begin select tree removal activities this month 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 early 2024 for rehabilitation work. Current activities may require the following lane closures:

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

Rehabilitation continues on the Turkey Run, Pimmit Run, and Glebe Road bridges. The lane widths have been reduced using temporary barriers to provide space for crews to stage equipment. Crews continue night and weekend work to pour concrete for new bridge surfaces on Turkey Run Bridge. Crews continue demolition work on Turkey Run Bridge and will begin blasting and painting work at Glebe Road and Pimmit Run Bridges. No additional traffic delays are anticipated at this time. The contractor will continue construction below bridge surfaces.

 

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.

 

Inclement Weather and Potential Traffic Impacts

The National Park Service (NPS) is developing an inclement weather strategy as we approach hurricane season followed by the winter season. Inclement weather could impact the reversible lane schedule or close the parkway at any time if conditions are deemed unsafe. More detailed information will be provided in the upcoming months on procedures and notification in the event of weather impacts to the parkway.

 

Potomac Heritage National Trail Partially Closed through October

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 October 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.

 

 

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 are tentatively scheduled to begin 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 preffered alterntative 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 SWM best management practices consistent with VDEQ requirements.

For more information see the Enivironmental Assessment document.