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This infographic displays the project rehabilitation area
NPS
The National Park Service (NPS) has reached substantial completion of the north parkway rehabilitation project on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The project, which began construction in 2022, improves safety and resilience through rehabilitated pavement and drainage, strengthened roadside features and restored historic overlooks. Some finishing work will continue into the spring during off-peak travel hours. Motorists can expect travel impacts once crews begin rehabilitation efforts on the Route 123 Interchange bridge.
View construction updates under Current Construction.
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Replaced the roadway, improving drivability and safety.
Completed drainage installation and repairs, reducing erosion and sediment run off.
Repaired the outfalls have been repaired, completing work to improve drainage structures that discharge water to nearby streams.
The National Park Service thanks you for your patience over the last three years as we worked to rehabilitate 7.6 miles of the parkway, improving the driving experience and safety for motorists, while maintaining the culture of this historic landmark near our nation’s capital. See below for current construction details and impacts in each segment.
Current Construction (Updated April 2026)
I-495 to spout Run Parkway
Crews continue curb work at the I-495 Interchange. Periodic lane closures continue for median restoration, outfall planting, signage installation, and paint touch up and clean up on bridges between I-495 and Spout Run Parkway.
Please slow down and be cautious while driving through work zones on the parkway. Commercial vehicles are restricted from the parkway at all times. Signage will direct drivers to the appropriate lanes.
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.
Resurfacing work will occur in two segments from Spout Run Parkway South and I-395 and between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Alexandria.
NPS
Additional Rehabilitation Work on the George Washington Memorial Parkway
The National Park Service has identified additional rehabilitation work on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. This work is underway, taking advantage of the current construction workforce to facilitate this additional work and reduce traffic impacts.
Route 123 Interchange Bridge Work and Traffic Impacts
Structural repairs on the Route 123 Interchange bridge are underway as part of efforts to rehabilitate aging infrastructure. To accommodate ongoing construction, the deceleration lane on the exit ramp has been shortened and single lane closures are in effect. This month, crews will close one northbound lane to perform repairs. The southbound lanes will remain open. At least one lane will remain open in each direction during rush hour. Next, crews will close one southbound lane to continue work. Repairs on the bridge are anticipated to last through mid-July.
Additional Mill and Overlay Work
Crews began nighttime milling and paving between Spout Run Parkway and I-395. Once crews complete work in this segment, they will begin milling and paving the roadway from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to First Street in Alexandria, Virginia, weather permitting. Crews will remove a layer of the northbound and southbound lanes and rehabilitate the asphalt to extend the life of the roadway in this section of the parkway. Work is expected to continue until mid-June.
Traffic pattern
Morning rush hour on weekdays (5:30 to 9:30 a.m.): Drivers will have two southbound lanes and one northbound lane.
Evening rush hour on weekdays (2:45 to 7:15 p.m.): Drivers will have two northbound lanes and one southbound lane.
Midday on weekdays (9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.), overnight (7:15 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.), and on weekends: Drivers will have one lane open in each direction.
Drivers should expect periodic ramp closures entering and exiting the parkway as crews continue work in the area. Drivers should consider alternate routes.
April Nighttime Ramp Closures – Spout Run Parkway to I-395
Ramps entering GWMP southbound from:
Spout Run Parkway
Arlington Blvd
Washington Blvd
Ramps exiting GWMP southbound to:
Key Bridge
I-66
Memorial Ave
Washinton Blvd
I-395
Ramps entering GWMP northbound from:
I-395
Arlington Blvd
I-66
Key Bridge
Ramps exiting GWMP northbound to:
Washington Blvd
Spout Run Parkway
A portion of the Columbia Island parking lot near the LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac will be used as a staging area by the construction crew for the duration of the project.
Motorists traveling on the southbound parkway should continue to Route 123 to access the northbound parkway and Turkey Run Loop Road.
NPS
Turkey Run Loop Drainage Repairs
The outer lane of Turkey Run Loop Road is closed for drainage repairs on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closures are needed to upgrade roadside drainage and improve stormwater flow, helping protect the roadway and improve safety. These upgrades will strengthen the parkway’s infrastructure, reduce the risk of future roadway damage, and support a safer, more reliable travel experience. Crews will work on the inner lane of the loop first and once complete, proceed to work on the outer lane of the loop. Detours will be in place during each lane closure to maintain access between the parkway and Turkey Run Loop Road.
Detour information:
Inner Turkey Run Loop Road closure:
Access from the parkway: Turkey Run Loop Road is accessible only from the northbound parkway. Southbound drivers must continue to Route 123 and return via the northbound parkway.
Access to the parkway: Drivers exiting Turkey Run Loop Road may only access the southbound parkway. Northbound access is closed. Follow detour signs to Route 123 to reach the northbound parkway.
Motorists traveling on the northbound parkway should continue to I-495 south, turn at Georgetown Pike and proceed to the southbound parkway and Turkey Run Loop Road.
NPS
Outer Turkey Run Loop Road closure:
Access from the parkway: Drivers can access The Turkey Run Loop Road from the southbound parkway. Northbound drivers must continue to I-495 South, exit at Georgetown Pike, and return via the southbound parkway. No change for drivers traveling southbound on the parkway.
Access to the parkway: Drivers exiting Turkey Run Loop Road may access the northbound parkway. Southbound access is closed. Follow detour signs to I-495 South, Georgetown Pike, and the southbound parkway.
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.
Some minor finishing work may continue during off-peak hours as barriers are removed, and final median restoration and landscaping is completed in the spring. Site cleanup is scheduled to be completed in late March (weather permitting), except for Route 123 Overpass repairs.
Some contract modification work is anticipated, including repairs near the Route 123 Bridge area and a mill and overlay on the haul road route from Spout Run to I-395 and from Ronald Regan Airport to First Street in Alexandria to First Street in Alexandria. Portions of exit ramps under each side of the overpass will close during construction and single lane closures at the Route 123 interchange may occur outside of peak hours, but full ramp closures are not anticipated. Crews will also repair drainage systems along Turkey Run Loop, where northbound and southbound GWMP motorists who wish to access the Loop will incur detours. See the Turkey Run Loop Drainage Repairs section above for more details. We will continue to share updates when available.
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) is a federal law that provides dedicated funding over five years to address deferred maintenance and improve infrastructure on public lands, including in national parks. The George Washington Memorial Parkway North Section Rehabilitation is funded through GAOA LRF, helping NPS deliver safety, drainage, and historic preservation improvements while stewarding taxpayer dollars responsibly.
The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA - EFLHD), manage 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 repaired and rehabilitated deteriorating aspects of the roadway, implemented safety improvements, and preserved the cultural and historical characteristics of the parkway.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is continuing an express lanes project that connects directly to the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The Virginia Department of Transportation expects that work to be completed in 2026. Please check their project page for the most up-to-date information: https://495next.vdot.virginia.gov/about/#d.en.103055
Construction activities began in August 2022. The project reached substantial completion in January 7, 2026.
Targeted weekend and ramp closures can reduce the overall duration of work and improve safety for crews and motorists. Concentrated work windows can reduce the number of traffic switches, and the time workers spend next to live traffic.
The project rehabilitated pavement and drainage and strengthened roadside features. Drivers benefit from a smoother surface, safer transitions at ramps, better stormwater handling, and improved resilience during storms.
For hazards, contact George Washington Memorial Parkway dispatch and United States Park Police coordination at 202-610-7505. For emergencies, call 911.
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.
Changes include:
• Realign entrance to the Route 123 eastbound on-ramp to southbound GWMP mainline. The roadway is 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.
