| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Joan Morris 703-383-2465 joan.morris@virginiadot.org Steve Titunik 703 383-2530 |
NOVA-NR-03-61 Sept. 17, 2003 |
Final Phase of Mixing Bowl Work Begins in November
The Commonwealth Transportation Board today awarded a $99.8 million contract to build the final phases of the Springfield Interchange Improvement Project. Phases 6 and 7 will begin in November and be complete by the end of 2007. The improvement project remains on schedule and within the $700 million budget.
“The final phases will tie together all that has been built to date,” said Larry Cloyed, Springfield Interchange project manager. “Once completed, motorists will have an easier, safer and less stressful interchange to navigate.”
The eight-year improvement project began in March 1999 and consists of building more than 50 bridges and widening I-95 to 24 lanes between the Beltway and Franconia Road. More than 440,000 vehicles a day travel through the interchange.
Archer Western Contractors, LTD of Sandston, Va. is the contractor for Phases 6 and 7.
What’s Coming
In late 2004, road crews will be completing work on I-395 between Edsall Road and the Beltway, adding new lanes and a ramp to carry I-395 south motorists to Springfield and Franconia via Route 644.
By the end of 2005, a new bridge will carry I-395 southbound motorists onto 495 towards the Wilson Bridge. New lanes separating long distance and local drivers will open for motorists heading from the Beltway to Route 644 and those using I-395 south towards Richmond or Springfield/Franconia. Drivers heading north on I-95 towards the Wilson Bridge will use a new bridge to access the outer loop.
In mid-2006, I-95 north motorists heading for I-495 north towards Tysons Corner will have new lanes and a bridge taking them directly through the interchange. A new ramp from the Commerce Street Bridge to the inner-loop will open, as will new lanes separating local and long distance drivers between I-395 south and I-95 south. There will also be a new alignment for the HOV lanes.
In spring 2007, there will be a new right lane exit for outer loop motorists heading to I-395 north. In addition, anyone going from the Tysons Corner area towards either Richmond or Route 644 on I-95 south will have their own lanes. A new bridge in Springfield will open giving Route 644 east travelers access to I-395/I-95 without having to shift lanes.
Phases 2 and 3 are complete and included improvements to the I-95 and Route 644 interchange as well as to local roads and bridges in Springfield. Phase 4 started in November 2000 and will be complete in fall 2004. Phase 5 began in September 2001 and will be complete in December 2003. Those phases include widening the Beltway between Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street and widening I-95/395 between Commerce Street and Edsall Road to accommodate new lanes and bridges that will separate long distance and local traffic and eliminate the weaving and merging that currently exists. They also include construction of the mile-long, 120-foot high bridge for traffic heading west on I-495 to I-95 south.
Motorists can visit Springfieldinterchange.com for project background, commuter options, construction schedules and weekly lane closures.
“The final phases will tie together all that has been built to date,” said Larry Cloyed, Springfield Interchange project manager. “Once completed, motorists will have an easier, safer and less stressful interchange to navigate.”
The eight-year improvement project began in March 1999 and consists of building more than 50 bridges and widening I-95 to 24 lanes between the Beltway and Franconia Road. More than 440,000 vehicles a day travel through the interchange.
Archer Western Contractors, LTD of Sandston, Va. is the contractor for Phases 6 and 7.
What’s Coming
In late 2004, road crews will be completing work on I-395 between Edsall Road and the Beltway, adding new lanes and a ramp to carry I-395 south motorists to Springfield and Franconia via Route 644.
By the end of 2005, a new bridge will carry I-395 southbound motorists onto 495 towards the Wilson Bridge. New lanes separating long distance and local drivers will open for motorists heading from the Beltway to Route 644 and those using I-395 south towards Richmond or Springfield/Franconia. Drivers heading north on I-95 towards the Wilson Bridge will use a new bridge to access the outer loop.
In mid-2006, I-95 north motorists heading for I-495 north towards Tysons Corner will have new lanes and a bridge taking them directly through the interchange. A new ramp from the Commerce Street Bridge to the inner-loop will open, as will new lanes separating local and long distance drivers between I-395 south and I-95 south. There will also be a new alignment for the HOV lanes.
In spring 2007, there will be a new right lane exit for outer loop motorists heading to I-395 north. In addition, anyone going from the Tysons Corner area towards either Richmond or Route 644 on I-95 south will have their own lanes. A new bridge in Springfield will open giving Route 644 east travelers access to I-395/I-95 without having to shift lanes.
Phases 2 and 3 are complete and included improvements to the I-95 and Route 644 interchange as well as to local roads and bridges in Springfield. Phase 4 started in November 2000 and will be complete in fall 2004. Phase 5 began in September 2001 and will be complete in December 2003. Those phases include widening the Beltway between Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street and widening I-95/395 between Commerce Street and Edsall Road to accommodate new lanes and bridges that will separate long distance and local traffic and eliminate the weaving and merging that currently exists. They also include construction of the mile-long, 120-foot high bridge for traffic heading west on I-495 to I-95 south.
Motorists can visit Springfieldinterchange.com for project background, commuter options, construction schedules and weekly lane closures.
Page last modified: Sept. 17, 2003
