VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Construction to improve Interstate 95 is ramping up with work to build two new overpasses in Stafford County. 

Drivers should anticipate major delays on I-95 and Route 17 starting tonight, March 2, through early Friday, March 6 for work to advance on the I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project and the I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project. 

The I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project is currently building the future I-95 overpass of Route 17. The Fred Ex team is building a new Truslow Road bridge over the interstate. 

Intermittent full traffic stops for I-95 and Route 17 are needed on several evenings. Traffic may be stopped for up to 30 minutes at a time. In between each stop, congestion will be allowed to clear before the next full stop. 

When traffic is stopped on Route 17 northbound, drivers will not be permitted to enter I-95 southbound. The I-95 northbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound toward Warrenton will also be closed. 

The stoppages are needed to allow crews to work safely over the travel lanes or move large construction equipment from the I-95 median to the shoulder. 

Virginia State Police will assist with traffic control in the work zones. 

Message boards are posted along I-95 and Route 17 to alert motorists to delays ahead. Route 17 travelers can use the most convenient alternate route, depending on their destination.

Lane closures have been scheduled for the following evenings, weather permitting: 

Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 3 

Route 17 Northbound

• 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Single lane closure
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. – Single lane closure 

Route 17 Southbound

• 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. – Alternating single lane closures 

Tuesday, March 3 – Wednesday, March 4 

Interstate 95 Northbound

• 10 p.m. – Midnight – Double lane closure
• Midnight – 3 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 3 a.m. - 4:30 a.m. – Double lane closure, all lanes will reopen by 4:30 a.m. 

Interstate 95 Southbound

• 10 p.m. – Midnight – Double lane closure
• Midnight – 3 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 3 a.m. - 4:30 a.m. – Double lane closure 

Route 17 Northbound

• 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Single lane closure
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. – Single lane closure 

Route 17 Southbound

• 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. – Alternating single lane closures 

Wednesday, March 4 – Thursday, March 5

Route 17 Northbound

• 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Single lane closure
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. – Single lane closure 

Route 17 Southbound

• 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. – Alternating single lane closures 

Thursday, March 5 – Friday, March 6 

Route 17 Northbound

• 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Single lane closure
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – Intermittent full traffic stops up to 30 minutes
• 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. – Single lane closure 

Route 17 Southbound

• 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. – Alternating single lane closures 

I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing Project Background

Construction to build the $132 million I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing began in August 2018 and will be underway through May 2022.

The project seeks to reduce I-95 congestion in the Fredericksburg area by providing local traffic with additional lanes to travel between the Route 17 and Route 3 interchanges without merging into the interstate’s general purpose lanes.

The Rappahannock River Crossing project will build three new general purpose lanes for I-95 southbound stretching six miles in the current median of I-95. The new lanes will begin in the vicinity of Truslow Road, just north of Exit 133 at Route 17 in Stafford County. The new lanes will end 1.2 miles south of Exit 130 at Route 3 in Fredericksburg, in Spotsylvania County.

The three existing I-95 southbound lanes will be converted to carry those traveling to the Route 17 and Route 3 interchanges, as well as the Safety Rest Area and Virginia Welcome Center.

I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension Project Background 

Crews are currently building the 10-mile extension of the I-95 Express Lanes in the median of I-95 from south of Exit 143 (Route 610) to the vicinity of Exit 133 (Route 17).  

Construction on the $565 million project began in July 2019. 

The extended Express Lanes are anticipated to open to traffic in late 2022. All work related to the project is scheduled to be completed in 2023. 

Transurban, the operator of the existing 95 Express Lanes facility, is managing construction of the I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension. The design-build project contractor is a joint venture between Branch Civil and Flatiron. 

For additional information, please visit www.Improve95.org.

511Virginia

Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic and other incidents on 511Virginia.

Download the  free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

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VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.