New Ramp To Ease Mixing Bowl Congestion

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - A new ramp is set to open to help ease traffic through the Springfield Mixing Bowl.

Starting Thursday afternoon, the Franconia Road ramp in Springfield will take drivers to three different destinations. Along with directing traffic to Interstate 395 North toward Washington and I-495/95 East toward the Wilson Bridge, the ramp will now also take you to I-495 North on the Inner Loop toward Tysons Corner.

Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Titunik says the new alternative ramp should relieve traffic on Commerce Street, a busy road during the morning and afternoon commutes. There will not be any signage for the ramp.

The new ramp, originally built as part of the Springfield Interchange project, was designed to link directly to the Springfield-Franconia Parkway. That link is still being planned by VDOT, but not anytime soon.

"This is probably the last thing we are doing on the Springfield Interchange," Titunik said.

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