This document provides a project update for the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension project in Virginia. It summarizes the goals of reducing congestion and improving safety and travel choices in the study area from Route 123 to the Maryland border. It describes existing severe traffic congestion conditions. It outlines the environmental assessment process underway including alternative analysis, field studies, and coordination with stakeholders. It discusses public outreach including prior and upcoming public information meetings. Next steps and milestones are identified through 2019 including further design, procurement, environmental study completion, and public hearings.

1. 495 EXPRESS LANES
NORTHERN EXTENSION
PROJECT UPDATE
Virginia Department of Transportation
February 12, 2019

2. Project Goals
Virginia Department of Transportation 2
 Reduce congestion and improve roadway safety
 Provide additional travel choices
 Improve travel reliability

3. Study Area
• Extends approximately 3.5 miles along
I-495 between the Route 123
interchange and the MD state line at the
ALMB.
• Extends approximately 2,500 feet east
along the GWMP.
• Intersecting roadways and interchanges
are also included in the study area, as
well as adjacent areas within 600 feet of
the existing edge of pavement
Virginia Department of Transportation

4.  Ranked number 1 as most
congested segment in the
region
 I-495 congestion routinely
extends between American
Legion Bridge and Tysons
(south of Dulles Toll Road)
 Multiple hours of congestion
during AM and PM peak
periods and weekends
 Cut-through traffic using
local roads and residential
streets on either side of I-495
Virginia Department of Transportation 4
Existing Conditions
Oct 4 2018
Oct 4 2018
May 2018

5. Virginia Department of Transportation
Northbound Traffic Congestion
5

6. Virginia Department of Transportation
Southbound Traffic Congestion
6

7. Reduce Congestion
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
Volume(vph)
I-495 Northbound General Purpose Between George Washington Memorial Pkwy and Clara Barton
Pkwy
Unserved Demand Throughput

8. Travel Reliability
Virginia Department of Transportation
• Speeds vary within the corridor making travel time unreliable

9. Environmental Assessment
Virginia Department of Transportation 9
 Alternative Analysis
 No-Build vs. Build
 Natural Resources Technical Report
 Fieldwork completed 08/16/2018
 Noise Analysis
 Noise Measurements in Field completed 10/4/2018
 Air Analysis
 Socioeconomic/Land Use Technical Report
 Indirect and Cumulative Effects Technical Memo
 Hazardous Materials Technical Memo
 Cultural Resources (Historic Resources)

10. • Fairfax County
• Project footprint
• Pedestrian and bicycle needs
• Drainage and Stormwater Management
• Other
• Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group
• June 7, 2018
• October 22, 2018
• Spring 2019
• Maryland
• Environmental Study Coordination
• Technical Coordination
Project Coordination
Virginia Department of Transportation

11. Public Outreach
Virginia Department of Transportation 11
 Public Information Meeting Schedule
www.495NorthernExtension.org
 Key Stakeholder Groups
Meeting Date
Public Information Meeting June 11, 2018
Public Information Meeting Spring 2019
Location Public Hearing Fall 2019

12.  76 attendees, including Del. Murphy, Boysko, and Keam and Sup. Foust
 12 speakers during question and answer period
 9 comment sheets at event
 11 comments via email and letter
Comment/Question Topics
 Coordination with Maryland, regional plans
 Addressing American Legion Bridge congestion
 Local traffic issues and concerns
 Right of way
 Noise, air, water pollution
June 11, 2018 Public Information Meeting Summary
Virginia Department of Transportation 12

13. • Refine and coordinate design
• Private Partners
• Key Stakeholders
• Complete Environmental Study
• Continue P3 Procurement
• Refine Agreement
• Enter Revised Comprehensive Agreement
Next Steps
Virginia Department of Transportation

14. Major Milestones Dates
Public Information Meeting #1 – Cooper Middle School June 11, 2018
Begin NEPA – Environmental Assessment June 2018
Public Information Meeting #2 Spring 2019
Publish Draft Environmental Assessment Summer 2019
Public Hearing Fall 2019
NEPA Decision from Federal Highway Administration 2019
Schedule
Virginia Department of Transportation 14