Va. Beltway traffic shift this weekend

The transportation project having the biggest impact on travelers this fall is the HOT lanes construction along the western side of the Beltway in Virginia. This is so despite the fact that through lanes are not blocked during peak travel periods.

Here's the latest advisory from the Virginia Department of Transportation:

Beginning Friday night, northbound and southbound traffic on the Capital Beltway will shift left approaching the Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) interchange. Beltway lanes in this area will narrow so workers can safely demolish and rebuild parts of the roadway and the bridges over Route 50. This traffic pattern will remain for 12 to 18 months.

Work schedule
On Friday night, all lanes on the inner loop (I-495 North) will be closed by 11 p.m. Drivers will be directed to the exit ramp lanes for Route 50. They will continue through the ramp lanes to get back onto I-495 North. All four lanes will reopen by 7 a.m. Saturday. The traffic shift for I-495 north will begin near the Gallows Road interchange heading towards Route 50.

On Saturday night, all lanes on the outer loop (I-495 South) will be closed by 11 p.m. Drivers will be directed to the exit ramp lanes for Route 50. They will continue along the ramp lanes to get back onto I-495 South. All four lanes will reopen by 9 a.m. Sunday. The traffic shift for I-495 south will begin past the Lee Highway overpass toward Route 50.