Construction has begun on a portion of I-95 near Fredericksburg, Va.
The $132 million project will help alleviate traffic jams with three new southbound lanes over the Rappahannock River, WTOP reported. The new lanes will be designed as through lanes for drivers going past Route 3 and U.S. 17. This will leave the old lanes available for local traffic, Kelly Hannon of VDOT's Fredericksburg district said.
"Coming south … you'll have the choice: Do you want to get in the [new] southbound Rappannock River crossing lanes, or are you going to be exiting at Route 3 or Route 17?" said Hannon. "So, we do have a very extensive sign plan that will communicate all of this to drivers as they are travelling down the interstate."
These spans will not be part of the area's toll lanes, and will be free to drivers.
The construction area stretches more than four miles, beginning north of Exit 133 to south of Exit 130, WTOP reported. Work is currently contained on both the northbound and southbound side's left shoulders, but workers will start clearing out trees on the median in the next few weeks. The project will also require an overhaul of the ramps between I-95 and Route 17, as well as replacement of the I-95 overpasses above Route 17. Lanes will not close for construction work during rush hour, but drivers can expect closures at night and during other times throughout the project's duration, WTOP reported.
The project is expected to be complete in 2022.
