New Ramp At I-495, 66 Interchange To Open Amid Express Lanes Project

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A new flyover ramp at the Interstate 495 and 66 interchange will open around Thursday, Aug. 25, marking the latest interim milestone for the I-66 Express Lanes outside the Beltway project.

The ramp from northbound I-495 to westbound I-66 will be the first ramp opening in the reconstructed area of the interchange. The I-66 and I-495 Interchange will get several new ramps and connections to add access between the new I-66 Express Lanes and the existing I-495 Express Lanes, as well as regular lanes.

The new flyover ramp will be located about a half mile south of the previous ramp from northbound I-495 to westbound I-66. Once the new ramp opens, the existing temporary ramp that ran under I-66 and looped onto westbound I-66 will close.

The ramp location from northbound I-495 to eastbound I-66 will not change as part of the new flyover ramp opening to westbound I-66.

In other project news, drivers exiting eastbound I-66 to eastbound or westbound Route 50 will use a new combined exit (Exit 57 A/B) around Monday, Aug. 22. The new exit is immediately after the Monument Drive bridge over I-66.

In preparation for the exit opening, the ramp from eastbound I-66 to westbound Route 50 will be closed from 10 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Traffic will be detoured to exit further east at Chain Bridge Road, turn left at the traffic signal onto northbound Route 123, stay right to westbound I-66 and follow signs to westbound Route 50.

VDOT is also planning a lane closure to continue construction of the I-66 Express Lanes in the center of the interstate. The left lane of eastbound I-66 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. Access to the I-495 regular and Express Lanes will be maintained.

The new I-66 Express Lanes will run alongside I-66 regular lanes between the Capital Beltway and University Boulevard in Gainesville. The lanes are expected to open in December 2022. For project updates and other construction impacts, visit outside.transform66.org.