DMV drivers urged to avoid I-495 Beltway outer loop in Fairfax County overnight, 4 lanes reduced to 1

FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) — Potential major traffic delays may arise Wednesday night into Thursday morning, as VDOT crews reduce four southbound lanes to one on the Capital Beltway, south of the American Legion Bridge in Fairfax County.

VDOT Spokesperson Michelle Holland said drivers will commute within one lane on the outer loop near McLean, Va., starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday until no later than 6 a.m. Thursday, in order to begin the next phase of the express lane extension project.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Holland said, “That one lane will have intermittent stoppages between midnight and 5 am.”

The closures are slated to impact southbound commuters from Georgetown Pike to just prior to Lewinsville Road.

DC News Now heard from several area drivers Wednesday after sharing news of the pending overnight closures, one driver said, “It’s terrible already, and that’ll just make it worse.”

Another driver said the beltway construction, which VDOT said is in its fourth year, “just hinders my time to get to work in the morning and home. It adds thirty minutes. Pretty ridiculous.”

Holland urged drivers to take alternate routes overnight if possible, and noted that future lane closures in the area will happen during overnight periods and non-peak travel times, though not always to the extent of Wednesday night’s disruptions.

Even after the new two and a half mile express lanes extension is supposed to be completed by the end of 2025, Holland said drivers can anticipate more work nearby into 2026, including for rebuilding and rehabilitation of bridges over the Beltway, and a new bicycle and pedestrian trail.

Until the project is complete, one Maryland driver firmly explained that she routinely avoids the Beltway construction zone, proclaiming, “Yes! With a vengeance!”

Drivers are urged to get project updates at 495next.org.