I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension To Open By The End Of 2023

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — An extension to bring the I-95 Express Lanes to Fredericksburg is 60 percent complete, the Express Lanes' operator said in a news release. Officials expect the lanes to Fredericksburg to open by the end of 2023.

Transurban is the operator of the 495, 95 and 395 Express Lane and the Fredericksburg extension. Construction on the 10-mile construction began in 2019.

In a news release on Monday, Transurban said construction has faced several challenges. Officials cited the impact of Potomac Formation soils, a unique geographic condition that can make construction more difficult.

So far, construction workers have completed a new Truslow Road bridge and started work on the American Legion Road overpass and several new fly-over ramps.

“The design, construction and delivery of mega-infrastructure projects is always complex," said Amanda Baxter, Vice President, Virginia Market & Operations for Transurban North America. “I am pleased to see the power of partnership come together to resolve challenges and find a path forward in the best interest of the Commonwealth, its travelers and communities. This project is crucial to keeping people moving along I-95 and we’re focused on delivering it as soon as possible."

Officials said the new lanes will provide two reversible toll lanes, seven new bridges, and new access points at Route 17, old Courthouse Road, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. They claimed that new Express Lanes will provide 66 percent more capacity during peak periods and will move 30 percent more people and 23 percent more vehicles.

"We appreciate that the project team has arrived at an outcome that benefits the people most affected by this megaproject – the travelers on I-95,” Marcie Parker, VDOT Fredericksburg District Engineer, said in a news release. “We will continue in our oversight role to ensure that the project is delivered safely, is built with quality and is completed as soon as possible.”

More information about the Express Lanes is available online.

Have a story idea? Email me at liam.griffin@patch.com with tips, questions, comments, or concerns.