A temporary lane was created out of the median to implement the new traffic pattern. Courtesy National Park Service.
A temporary traffic pattern begins Saturday on George Washington Memorial Parkway between I-495 and Route 123. It will last through late 2025.
- All traffic will shift to three lanes on the northbound side of the parkway. The southbound lanes will close for an ongoing, $161 million rehabilitation project that will repave 7.6 miles of roadway and make long-needed upgrades to the scenic route.
What’s happening: Reversible rush hour lanes will take effect.
- Weekdays between 5:30am and 9:30am: Two lanes will open for traffic going south toward Washington, D.C. One lane will exist going north.
- Weekdays between 2:45pm and 7:15pm: Two lanes will open for traffic going north toward Maryland and Virginia. The remaining lane will run south.
- All other times including weekends: One lane runs south and another runs north.
Temporary lane dividers are being added, and motorists should expect single-lane, northbound closures through 2:45pm today.
What they’re saying: “Drivers should observe traffic signs, respect the 40-mph speed limit and expect delays,” the National Park Service says.
- Pro tip: Sign up for NPS traffic alerts.
Catch up quick: The historic gateway into Washington is under construction to fix the roadway, rebuild stone walls, fix erosion and safety barriers, and upgrade scenic overlooks.
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