It’s official — the six-mile widening of Interstate 95 between Woodbridge and Springfield has begun. The Virginia Department of Transportation is adding a fourth lane to both the north and southbound sides of this heavily-traveled route to relieve a chokepoint.
VDOT project manager Charlie Warraich who managed the Springfield Interchange project, is concentrating efforts on the traffic flow. “In Springfield, we kept the traffic moving just as we are going to do with this project,” he said.
The June 13 groundbreaking ceremony was attended by state and local elected officials.
The project, priced at $123 million, will be completed in three phases.
The first will add a northbound lane from U.S. 1 in Woodbridge to Fairfax County Parkway and is scheduled to be completed in late 2009.
Phase two is adding a southbound lane from Fairfax County Parkway to U.S. 1 and is scheduled to be completed in late 2010.
Phase three is adding north and southbound lanes between Va. 123 to U.S. 1 on the southern end of the project and is scheduled to be completed in July 2011.
Much of the work adding the lanes can be done with minimal disruption to traffic, but there will be occasional lane closures during non-rush hour times.
According to VDOT, lane closures will occur during non-peak and overnight hours and occasionally on weekends when steel beams are put into place for overpasses. VDOT will announce this beam work one week in advance of the closure.
High occupancy vehicle lanes will remain open throughout the project but HOV shoulders will be closed as needed to install lighting and signs.
Mike Salmon works with the Virginia Department of Transportation Public Affairs Office.
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