Location and Design Public Hearing 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a Location and Design Public Hearing to present the environmental assessment and draft design plans to extend the 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge to reduce congestion, improve safety and travel reliability, and provide additional travel choices. This project will involve a change in limited access control. 

NOTE: This is the rescheduled Location and Design Public Hearing previously scheduled for March 12, 2020. The public comment period has remained open during the interim and all previously-submitted comments will be included as part of this hearing.

Virtual Public Hearing 
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) held a virtual Location and Design Public Hearing on Monday, October 5, 2020, for the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) Project. See a recording of the session below. Access the presentation here.

In-Person Hearing (By Appointment Only)
VDOT held an in-person, by-appointment-only public hearing session on Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McLean Community Center. More than 20 people met with project leadership and subject matter experts to ask questions and provide feedback on the project. The session included a video presentation and court reporter to receive formal comment from attendees. CDC-recommended health measures, including mask requirements and social distancing, were in place.

Virtual Question and Answer Sessions
VDOT held two virtual question-and-answer sessions prior to the public hearings. Click to view recordings of the sessions from Sept. 28 and Sept. 30.

Providing Comment

Comments on the environmental assessment and proposed design must be received by no later than December 4, 2020, to be included in the public record.

Comments can be submitted in the following ways:

• During the virtual public hearing. Click here to sign up.
• At the in-person public hearing. Click here to reserve a time slot.
• Completing the online comment form
• Emailing to 495NorthernExtension@VDOT.virginia.gov (Comments should reference “495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project” in the subject line)
• Mailing to: VDOT Northern Virginia District Office, Attn: Abi Lerner, P.E., 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

All comments submitted for the postponed March 12, 2020, hearing and since then will automatically be included in the hearing report and do not need to be resubmitted.  

Public Comments Received

The 495 NEXT project team has begun posting received public comments and responses to this webpage following the October public hearings. Click here to view the documents.

PUBLIC HEARING MATERIALS

PROPOSED DESIGN

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS

PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED FROM ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES

RESOURCES