In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Shirley Contracting Company, Transurban is set to unveil a new access point from Opitz Boulevard to the 95 Express Lanes in Woodbridge.
The access point, opening on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 10 p.m., will allow northbound entry during morning rush hour starting Friday, November 15, providing Prince William County commuters a faster and more reliable route.
The $70 million project, fully funded by Transurban, is designed to serve a growing community that includes major employers like Sentara Northern Virignia Medical Center and Potomac Mills. VDOT Northern Virginia District Megaprojects Director Michelle Shropshire expressed pride in delivering this new connection, citing its potential to ease congestion for drivers traveling from Prince William County and beyond.
“The new connection between Opitz Boulevard and the 95 Express Lanes will provide new access for drivers coming from Prince William County and points south, helping to relieve congestion locally and on I-95,” Shropshire said.
The Opitz Boulevard Ramp Project introduces a reversible, south-facing ramp offering northbound access to the 95 Express Lanes from Opitz Boulevard in the morning and southbound access in the afternoon. The project also includes rehabilitation and widening the Opitz Boulevard bridge over I-95, adding left-turn lanes in both directions and a sidewalk for bicyclists and pedestrians. This stand-alone direct access ramp is the first to be integrated into the existing Express Lanes network. It is expected to ease traffic flow across the highway on Opitz Boulevard.
Originally planned for summer 2024, the ramp’s opening was delayed due to project adjustments, according to Transurban. Despite the delay, Transurban North America President Beau Memory noted that the project reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to mobility improvements in Northern Virginia.
“The Opitz Boulevard Project is a great example of Transurban’s commitment to improving mobility in collaboration with our partners at VDOT,” Memory said. “We are always looking for more ways to provide faster, more reliable trips, and the new ramp will continue to build connections throughout our communities.”
“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.
