News Release

National Park Service to extend three-lane traffic pattern on the George Washington Memorial Parkway starting June 10

During the morning rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic southbound toward Washington, D.C. During the evening rush hour, two lanes will carry traffic northbound toward Maryland.

NPS

News Release Date: June 6, 2023

Contact: Mark Maloy, 571-528-5029

McLean, Va. — On Saturday, June 10, the National Park Service (NPS) will extend the three-lane traffic configuration on the George Washington Memorial Parkway from the Route 123 interchange to Windy Run Bridge as part of the ongoing North Parkway Rehabilitation Project. The NPS will temporarily close the right northbound lane from Route 123 to the Windy Run Bridge during this transition. Drivers should follow traffic signs, respect the 40-mph speed limit, expect delays through narrow travel lanes and plan alternate routes. Work is weather permitting.

Crews will begin to shift traffic following the evening rush hour on Friday, June 9 and expect to have the new traffic pattern in place by the evening of Saturday June 10. Crews installed new lane striping over the weekend and will add temporary lane dividers this week in preparation for the traffic shift. The NPS expects the three-lane traffic pattern from Windy Run Bridge to I-495 to be in effect through late 2025:

Weekday morning rush hour (5:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)

• Two lanes southbound (toward Washington, DC).
  • Drivers who need to exit at Route 123 or CIA Headquarters must use the right lane.
• One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

Weekday evening rush hour (2:45 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.)

• Two lanes northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).
  • Drivers who need to exit at Route 123, CIA Headquarters or towards Maryland must use the right lane.
  • Drivers who need to exit towards Virginia on I-495 must use the left lane.
• One lane southbound (toward Washington, DC).

Weekdays (9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.) and weekends

• One lane southbound (toward Washington, DC).
• One lane northbound (toward Maryland/Virginia).

Small physical barriers will separate the narrow lanes to increase motorist and construction crew safety. Drivers must make lane changes upon entry to the parkway. Commercial vehicles remain prohibited from using the parkway.

How this is happening 

The right northbound lane will be closed to traffic to allow crews to perform rehabilitation work. The left southbound lane will serve as a reversible lane, which provides flexibility to change direction for morning and evening rush hours. This traffic pattern allows the project contractor greater access to the roadway, which will reduce the time needed to complete the project.

Where to find more information 

Construction on the parkway will affect drivers for the duration of the rehabilitation. Message boards and orange construction signs along the parkway continue to provide important information and directions. Drivers can view construction updates and opt-in to receive emails about traffic impacts, meetings and major project milestones on the project webpage.

Background   

The Department of the Interior announced the rehabilitation of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway on December 7, 2021. In partnership with the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration awarded a $161 million contract to rehabilitate this section of the parkway. The project, made possible by Great American Outdoors Act funding, will improve safety, the driving experience and water drainage while retaining and reviving the historic beauty and significance of the parkway – including opening scenic views to Washington, D.C.

-NPS-