New HOV ramp to be build, lanes to close Sat.

Construction of a federally-funded Interstate 95 HOV project started on Jan. 22 to improve safety and relieve a morning rush-hour congestion point in Newington, the Virginia Department of Transportation said Wednesday. 

Building a deceleration lane will allow traffic to smoothly exit the HOV lanes and safely enter the regular lanes of I-95.  The $1.3 million project will be completed in mid-spring. 

Sagres Construction Corporation began work on January 21 installing roadway construction signs.  On Saturday January 24 HOV Lanes will be closed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to place temporary traffic barriers to separate traffic and construction.  This quarter-mile-long deceleration lane will be located on the I-95 HOV lanes just north of the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100). The existing ramp carries northbound HOV traffic to the regular lanes of northbound I-95.

Currently, backups occur at this off-ramp during the morning rush hour as the ramp does not provide enough space for an estimated 650 vehicles per peak hour. On many mornings, vehicles stack into the right HOV through lane and can be a safety hazard.

Drivers should remain attentive as the HOV lanes in this area will be temporarily shifted during construction expected to begin in February, weather depending.  Minimal lane closures for this work are planned.  Lane closures will occur between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and, 9:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays.  Overnight work may occur between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights.

The new HOV deceleration lane could potentially tie into the proposed I-95 BRAC defense access road ramp, which would carry traffic from the HOV exit lanes across I-95 southbound toward the Engineer Proving Ground (EPG). The Federal Highway Administration plans to make that flyover ramp reversible for traffic entering and exiting the EPG.

Complete closures of the HOV lanes, if required, will only be allowed between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. for this project. All of the lane closures will be communicated to the public in advance and are available at VAmegaprojects.com.

-Virginia Department of Transportation