Project to deliver expanded Express Lanes and new bus, bicycle and pedestrian connections.
We’ve finalized our comprehensive agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to advance early construction works on the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project, known as 495 NEXT. Lane Construction Corporation, a longstanding partner on our 395 and 95 Express Lanes projects, has been selected as the design-builder to advance the approximately 2.5-mile (4.02 km) extension through a competitive solicitation process. Early construction works is getting underway, with full construction expected to start late 2021/early 2022.
The agreement includes $5.2 million in dedicated funding by Virginia to support transit for the region, including a new bi-state bus service connecting Virginia and Maryland, and our ongoing commitment to $2.2 million in annual investments from toll revenues to support bus operations. The project also includes new bicycle and pedestrian connections along the project’s corridor. When completed 495 NEXT is projected to cut travel times for Express Lanes users by 24 minutes, reduce crashes by 20 percent, and generate an estimated 6,300 jobs and $880 million in economic impact.
495 NEXT serves as a critical connector between the existing 495 Express Lanes in Virginia and the future Maryland Express Lanes Project for which we are advancing predevelopment work.
Learn more: Download Press Release (PDF).
