Prince William County officials celebrated a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new six-level parking garage in Woodbridge.
The $53.5 million Potomac/Neabsco Mills Commuter Garage, designed to serve as a park-and-ride hub, represents a significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and is a step toward meeting the growing demands of residents and commuters.
The garage, located just off Opitz Boulevard near the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes, opened one day after a new ramp providing direct access from Opitz Boulevard to the express lanes was inaugurated. The garage’s strategic location provides easy access to highways and toll lanes, aiming to alleviate congestion at the nearby Route 1/Route 234 Park and Ride Lot.
This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.
Opitz Boulevard Ramp Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon, local leaders will officially open the Opitz Boulevard ramp on the 95 Express Lanes. This $70 million project, funded by Transurban and executed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Shirley Contracting Company, provides a dedicated northbound access point for morning commuters, connecting directly to a busy area that includes Sentara Medical Center, Potomac Mills, and the new Neabsco-Potomac Commuter Garage. This new entry to the Express Lanes is the first stand-alone ramp integrated into the 95/395 Express Lanes network, and it is expected to relieve congestion for drivers heading northbound during peak hours.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Please be advised the 95/395 Express Lanes will begin overnight reversal the night of October 30 / the morning of October 31, 2024, an hour early at 12 midnight instead of 1 a.m.
The change enables work on the Opitz Boulevard Project.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Commuters and residents in Woodbridge should prepare for a planned lane closure that will impact traffic on the Opitz Boulevard westbound overpass at Interstate 95. The closure, scheduled from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, is necessary to construct a new ramp linking the I-95 E-ZPass Express Lanes to Opitz Boulevard.
This infrastructure project aims to enhance traffic flow and accessibility to key destinations in the area, including Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center and nearby commercial centers. However, as the construction enters a critical phase, disruptions are anticipated. The specific lane closure will allow workers to safely implement parts of the new ramp directly above the Opitz Boulevard overpass.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
“The fall 2024 opening date for the 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard ramp was communicated to stakeholders in an update sent earlier this summer and reflects the contractor’s current schedule,” said Jacqueline Woodbridge, a spokeswoman for Transurban. She noted that the delay resulted from a shift in the contractor’s schedule, which can be affected by various factors, including weather conditions.
Potomac Local News has received emails from frustrated drivers who live near the work zone.
I reside nearby the project being built that will connect Opitz boulevard to the I-95 express lane boondoggle. I am not happy to learn that this ramp which was originally supposed to open in July is now supposed to open in November.
I am sick and tired of the disruption and the lack of transparency and the delays. My neighbors are as well.
Woodbridge acknowledged the frustration caused by construction-related congestion and delays but emphasized the new ramp’s benefits. “We are looking forward to providing faster, more reliable trips on the Express Lanes for southern Prince William County this November,” she said.
The Opitz Boulevard ramp is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the transportation infrastructure in the area. We’ve been reporting on a $53 million parking garage set to open near the new ramp behind Wegmans grocery store at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. The garage opening is also delayed but is now slated to occur in October.
The 1,400-parking-space garage will become a transit hub for eastern Prince William County. OmniRide will shift its bus operations from its nearby headquarters on Telegraph Road to the garage, and riders will use the garage instead of the transit center’s headquarters building as a transfer point.
From the latest Transurban shareholder report:
North America Toll Revenue and Infrastructure Developments
In FY24, North America’s toll revenue showed significant growth, increasing by 8.7% to $252 million. Traffic across the region also rose by 5.5%, contributing to this revenue growth. The EBITDA margin for the North American market reached 66.9%.
Greater Washington Area Infrastructure Updates
Several key infrastructure projects were highlighted in the Greater Washington Area:
Fredericksburg Extension: The construction of the Fredericksburg Extension was completed, following the opening of the roadway in August 2023. Additional access points are set to open in December 2023. This project extended the two-lane reversible facility by approximately 16 kilometers, making the 95 Express Lanes the longest reversible road in the United States.
495 NEXT Project: Construction activity on the 495 NEXT project has intensified, with work on roadways, bridges, and walls now 50% complete. The project is scheduled for completion and opening in December 2025.
Opitz Boulevard Project: This project is expected to open in November 2024. It will provide Express Lanes access to residential and commercial areas, as well as to a major hospital and medical center.
Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Discussions with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are ongoing regarding the addition of bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Design planning for this initiative is currently underway.
Greater Montreal Area Highlights
Electric Vehicle Traffic: Electric vehicle traffic in the Greater Montreal Area increased from 11.7% to 15.6% of total traffic. The Quebec government has extended the free toll program for electric vehicles until April 2027.
Community Contributions
The company made its fifth annual contribution to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s Commuter Choice Program, bringing total investments in transit projects to nearly $80 million. These investments have supported the development of bus lines, park-and-ride lots, and commuter rail improvements throughout the 95 Express Lanes corridor.
Future Market Opportunities
Looking ahead, the company is assessing several market opportunities:
Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Feasibility assessments are ongoing for adding bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Currently, the lanes operate northbound in the morning and southbound in the evening on weekdays.
495 Express Lanes Southern Extension: VDOT is evaluating the 495 Express Lanes Southern Extension, with the environmental analysis expected to conclude by late 2024. A Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision is anticipated by then, with potential inclusion in the region’s transportation plan by late 2025.
Howdy, Potomac Local readers! The Lane Ranger here with an important update for your late-night commutes.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Initially estimated at $53 million, the project now stands at around $55 million, with construction progress reaching nearly 70%. Todd Barton, overseeing the project, explains the challenges faced during construction, notably installing five soil retaining walls to accommodate the structure.
“The site is very challenging,” Barton remarks. “In order to get the structure itself in, we had to install five soil retaining walls.”
Despite some delays, the project is moving forward, with additional security enhancements and amenities being incorporated. Elnour Adam, at the county’s transportation department, outlined these enhancements, including security cameras on all levels and the addition of electric vehicle charging stations, which now total 70, or 5% of the 1,400 parking spaces in the structure.
The garage should open in October, about four months behind schedule.
Regional transportation provider OmniRide envisions the garage as a transportation hub for eastern Prince William County and plans to integrate eight bus stops with shelters. Mary Ankers, also with the county’s department, discussed the garage’s accessibility features and stressed its importance for commuters in the area.
“They’re going to have eight bus stops with bus shelters,” Ankers explains. “And they’ll also be kiss and ride. Our friends at Transurban [the firm that manages the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes] are also opening that new ramp to Opitz [Boulevard to provide better access to the garage].”
The project marks a significant undertaking for the county Department of Transportation, representing their first vertical project. Spread across ten acres, the garage is poised to become a vital asset for commuters in the region. Additionally, the county plans to sell approximately two acres of adjacent land to a developer, further enhancing the area’s development prospects.
The garage will be the second parking public garage in Prince William County, behind the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station. IKEA maintains a private garage at Potomac Mills.
New Ramp at Opitz Boulevard
Transurban’s new ramp at Opitz Boulevard will directly link commuters to the E-ZPass Express Lanes. Jacqueline Woodbridge, a spokesperson for Transurban, provided insights into the project, emphasizing its role in streamlining traffic flow and improving commuter accessibility.
“The ramp aims to provide direct access to the 95 express lanes from Opitz Boulevard,” Woodbridge stated. “Previously, travelers had to merge into the general-purpose lanes and utilize a slip ramp near Dale Boulevard. However, with the new ramp, commuters will experience a seamless transition onto the express lanes, enhancing overall travel efficiency.”
Woodbridge elaborated on the ramp’s configuration, likening it to existing structures such as those found at Franconia-Springfield Parkway and Seminary Road in Fairfax County. The ramp will feature a reversible lane structure, facilitating smooth transitions for commuters traveling northbound and southbound.
In addition to ramp construction, Opitz Boulevard enhancements are underway. Sidewalks are being built along the boulevard to improve pedestrian access—a much-needed addition to the area’s infrastructure.
The ramp should be done by June the end of the year, and the new sidewalks on Opitz Boulevard that are part of the ramp project should be finished by June. Woodbridge underscored the project’s alignment with broader initiatives to promote multimodal connectivity.
“This project underscores Transurban’s commitment to enhancing transit infrastructure,” Woodbridge emphasized. “We are proud to contribute to initiatives that promote multimodal connectivity and facilitate smoother travel experiences for commuters.”
Woodbridge also provided insights into the usage of the Express Lanes, noting a significant increase in traffic volumes on Interstate 95. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, traffic on the express lanes has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, showcasing these vital transportation corridors’ continued relevance and utility.
If you rely on us for local news and haven’t already, please support us by becoming a member!
- Join our Locals Only Membership Today! In a world filled with everyday heroes and extraordinary tales, Potomac Local is your trusted source for news and stories that matter in our community.
- Our Local Spotlight Membership is perfect for businesses and non-profits to increase sales, donations, and branding awareness in the community.
Today, drivers bound for the E-ZPass Express Lanes in Woodbridge found them closed later in the morning than usual.
Lane closures related to the Opitz Boulevard girder erection project were extended until 6 a.m. At the start of rush hour, significant traffic delays were expected. Drivers were encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.
All lanes were reopened about 7 a.m.
Only one lane of traffic was open on the I-95 general purpose lanes, from mile marker 155, near the Dale City rest area to near Prince William Parkway. Southbound traffic had been diverted to the collector/distributor lanes at exit 156.
The Express Lanes from Route 17 to Prince William County Parkway were closed as part of the work to add a new ramp from the E-ZPass lanes to Opitz Boulevard, near Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.
The E-Pass lanes take drivers north to Washington, D.C., in the mornings. Then, each afternoon, they close the entryways into the lanes to allow a reverse flow of traffic and reopen the lanes for drivers headed from Washington to Fredericksburg.
To conduct disaster recovery testing, the Interstate 95/395 E-ZPass Lanes will undergo a double-reversal overnight from March 22 to March 23, 2024. Transurban will conduct two successive reversals of the Express Lanes from midnight to 4:15 a.m.
March 23, 2024
