Express Lanes to be closed

Dave Dildine and Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – Travel volume on Interstate 95 through the Washington area is at its height. Weekend motorists can expect major volume delays and long stretches of slow moving traffic during the daylight hours on Interstate 95.

The monster Express Lanes Extension Project between I-395 and Stafford County has worsened summer delays in Virginia on the I-95 corridor, among the busiest thoroughfares on the East Coast.

The I-395/I-95 HOV highway is being converted into a dynamically-tolled expressway. Construction is expected to wind down by early 2015.

Weekend Express Lanes Construction

The Express Lanes will be closed for road work Saturday night. The lanes will open around 8 a.m. Sunday to southbound traffic from the 14th Street Bridge to Va. 236/Duke Street.

A section of the highway will remain closed on I-395 from Duke Street to near mile post 161 on I-95 in Woodbridge. Southbound drivers who wish to access the Express Lanes south should look for a new temporary slip ramp that exits the fast lane of the mainline after the exit for U.S. 1/Woodbridge. This ramp is difficult to spot and it will be the only opportunity to enter the Express Lanes on Saturday until they reverse to serve northbound traffic around 4 p.m.

All lanes on the mainline of I-95 will be open by sunrise, but delays are still likely by late morning since volume is generally on the higher side during the summer months.

The Express Lanes will be open to northbound traffic from Sunday through the Monday morning rush hour.

Metrorail Track Work

Red Line riders will catch a break this weekend as trains are expected to run on time. There will be rail reconstruction on the Orange and Blue lines.

Orange and Blue line trains will run at 24-minute intervals throughout the weekend. Crews will be fixing circuit modules between the Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian stations.

No work is scheduled on the Green or Yellow lines.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Perry Parkway and Md. 355

The annual week-long event features carnival rides, live animals and a variety of food and entertainment runs through this Saturday. Anticipate heavy volume on Route 355 through Gaithersburg.

Jimmy Buffet at Jiffy Lube Live

Jimmy Buffet always draws a crowd so if you’re planning a westbound ride on I-66 Saturday afternoon or early evening don’t be surprised by the extra volume headed toward Bristow, Va. If you’re attending the concert and haven’t been to Jiffy Lube before just know that getting in and out (especially out) of this venue can be challenging and take longer than you may anticipate.

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