The government of Virginia announced that the construction works for the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) PPP project has started.

The 2.5 miles extension of the express lanes on Interstate 495 between the Dulles Corridor and the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Fairfax County intends to deliver faster and more reliable travel options, improve safety in the corridor by reducing crashes by an estimated 20 percent and limiting cut-through traffic in residential communities.

The 495 NEXT project will add two new dynamically tolled express lanes in each direction, including new connections at the Dulles Corridor and the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchanges. It is estimated to generate more than US$880 million in economic benefits and 6,300 jobs.