I-95 widening project complete

Motorists driving on Interstate 95 near the Occoquan River are now finding it easier to get around.

The Virginia Department of Transportation held a ribbon cutting Thursday at the Va. 123 commuter lot in Woodbridge for the completion of the long-awaited I-95 widening project, finished three months ahead of schedule.

One lane was added each direction starting at the Va. 123 and I-95 interchange in Woodbridge. The now four-lane expressway spans six miles north to the Fairfax County Parkway in Newington, according to VDOT mega projects communications director Steven Titunik.

VDOT expects that the new lanes will relieve “chronic bottlenecking” by cutting 10 to 20 minutes of commuting time for the over 220,000 drivers that pass through the stretch of roadway each day — both for northbound I-95 traffic in the morning, as well as southbound traffic during the afternoon rush.

Titunik said before construction started in 2008 that plans to widen came “just in time,” since the daily traffic volume in the affected span is expected to increase to 320,000 vehicles a day by 2030.

Transportation officials and local leaders cut a ribbon to signify the opening of the new lanes in the commuter parking lot, which is situated next to the southern terminus of the new lanes.

The $123 million project was divided into three phases.

Phase one opened in Dec. 2009 and included a new on-ramp to the Fairfax County Parkway, according to VDOT documents.

The second phase, opened in Oct. 2010, accounted for an I-95 overpass widening over Furnace Road in Lorton, as well as the addition of a new lane to various ramps at the adjacent I-95 and U.S. 1 interchange, the documents state.

The final phase, which was completed on July 4, added an additional lane for both directions on I-95 to the Occoquan Bridge.

A new acceleration lane spanning from Va. 123 southbound to I-95 southbound was also added to ease congestion, Titunik said.

A total of 235,700 square feet of sound walls, 145,000 tons of asphalt, 18 new overhead sign structures were constructed during the 30-month project, VDOT documents state.

VDOT said that 10 bridges were also widened.

Local politicians lauded the launch of the newly-widened I-95.

 “Our constituents are all traveling along these roadways, and it is a benefit…to everybody passing through,” Supervisor Michael May, R-Occoquan, said.

“It is going to relieve the people of Prince William County and allow them to get home to their families while they are still not in a bad mood [from traffic],” said state Sen. Toddy Puller, D-36^th. “They can get home a little bit faster [now].”

Area motorists saw overnight road closures, delays and lane shifting on I-95 during the construction process.

Staff writer David Pierce can be reached at 703-530-3905.