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Tysons and the 495 Express Lanes offer travel tips to navigate the Center’s most congested time of year

December 10, 2018

Tysons, Va. – Throughout December, millions of shoppers will descend on Tysons Corner Center, increasing traffic in a roughly one-square mile area packed with stores and dining. Tysons, the region’s largest mall and home to nearly 300 stores, is a popular destination for holiday shopping and seasonal events. 

“Educating our customers on the most convenient travel and parking options only improves the shopping experience. Less time in the car means more time in the Center to enjoy holiday shopping, spend time with family and friends, and get all of the items on your wish lists,” said Becca Willcox, Marketing, at Tysons Corner Center. 

“Shoppers driving to the mall can save time by taking the 495 Express Lanes and using Westpark Drive for direct access to Tysons Corner Center,” said Elisa Bell, Marketing Director, North America, Transurban, operator of the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.

When to go:

  • The best time to shop, avoiding crowded parking lots and gridlocked roads, is before noon, Monday through Thursday, between December 10 and 20. 
  • Winter break for area school systems starts as early as December 21 and lasts until January 4 – expect even mornings to be crowded then. 

How to get there:

  • If driving, the quickest route is to access Garage E near Barnes and Noble using Westpark Drive from the 495 Express Lanes.
  • A new bridge opening on December 15 will make it even easier to get to Tysons. The Jones Branch Connector will provide a crossing over I-495 from Route 123 near the McLean Metro station to Jones Branch Drive, just north of Tysons.
  • The Tysons Corner metro stop lets you off on The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center, only a short walk to the Center.
  • If ridesharing, ask your driver to enter the Center near the entrances to Rt. 7 or International Drive off Fletcher Street to avoid time in traffic around the Center. 

Where to park:

  • If you want to get in and out quickly, take the 495 Express Lanes to Westpark Drive and use Garage E and park for free.
  • Valet parking is available for $12 near Coastal Flats outside of Garage E and Bloomingdale’s. This option offers the easiest parking experience, earns shoppers discounts at Tysons Corner Center retailers and restaurants, gives shoppers a free voucher for future valet parking and supports those in need. A portion of the valet proceeds will be donated to Northern Virginia Family Services. 
  • Front & Center Parking for $7 is located in Garage C. This conveniently located parking option is a great option if you are interested in parking yourself for a nominal fee.  Using this service, shoppers will earn discounts at Tysons Corner Center retailers and restaurants. 
  • Don’t mind a longer walk and want quick access to the roads to get out of Tysons, try the free parking towards the exits of the Center at Garage B or C.  

How to stay updated:

About Tysons Corner Center

One of the nation’s top-performing malls, the 2 million square-foot Tysons Corner Center is anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, L.L.Bean and a 16-screen AMC Theatres. The shopping center offers more than 300 specialty stores, including popular digitally native brands, plus restaurants, and attracts more than 25 million visitors annually.

About the Express Lanes operated by Transurban

The 95 and 495 Express Lanes provide drivers in Northern Virginia with faster and more predictable travel options. The Express Lanes stretch more than 40 miles from north of the Dulles Toll Road to Stafford County. Thanks to a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban, the Express Lanes give drivers reliable travel choices on two of northern Virginia’s most congested roadways. For more information, please visit ExpressLanes.com.

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Traffic pattern changes for South Parking & Eads St. during AM & PM rush hour this Winter and Spring 2019

January 18, 2019

On or about Tuesday, January 22, 2019, construction will begin along the east side of Eads Street (existing northbound travel lanes). All traffic along Eads Street between South Rotary Road and Army Navy Drive will be re-opened to both sides of Eads Street with proper access to the I-395 HOV Ramps preserved. 

Existing traffic restrictions and detours during the AM Peak between 6:00am to 9:00am, the off-peak period from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and the PM Peak from 3:00pm to 8:00pm will continue to be in effect. Detours with signage will continue to be set up on Eads Street, South Rotary Road, as well as surrounding roadways such as Fern Street.

Click here for the AM detour
Click here for the PM detour

The temporary relocation of Route 610 Stafford and Mine Road slug stations will remain at the Kiss and Ride area on N. Rotary Road during the Eads Street construction. Please pay close attention to traffic control direction, signage and traffic signals as they will change to align with the new traffic patterns. Visit expresslanes.com/projects/395 for more information.

Drivers are advised to travel safely and pay attention to on-road signage if traveling in this area during construction. Visit expresslanes.com/projects/395 to view closure or travel alerts information.

For more information click here.
 

Travel lanes to shift at Eads St. near Petagon Monday

July 13, 2018

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - On or about Monday, July 16, all travel lanes on Eads Street between Army Navy Drive and South Rotary Road on the Pentagon Reservation will be shifted to the east side of Eads Street (existing northbound lanes). This shift, which includes narrowing lanes, is needed to allow construction to begin on the west side of Eads Street, and will be in place for approximately two months. Access to the I-395 HOV ramps will remain. Additionally, during nighttime hours and weekends, full closures and detours may occur on this stretch of Eads Street. Drivers are advised to use caution and stay alert to on-road signage if traveling in this area.


In fall 2018, work will switch to the east side of Eads Street, and all travel lanes will be shifted to the west side of the road for approximately two additional months.


These traffic shifts and lane closures are part of the effort to rebuild Eads Street between Army Navy Drive and South Rotary Road. Improvements include converting the South Rotary Road drop-off/pick-up lane to a right-turn Express Lane entrance ramp, installing gates along the South Rotary turn lane, and adding new traffic signals on Eads Street.


Work at Eads Street is part of the I-395 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project, a public-private partnership project between VDOT and Transurban that is extending the existing I-95/I-395 Express Lanes eight miles from Turkeycock Run near Edsall Road in Alexandria to the Washington, D.C. line. Improvements at Eads Street will be in place when the 395 Express Lanes open in late 2019.
For more information about the 395 Express Lanes Project, please visit https://www.395.espresslanes.com.


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View press release here

Eads Street & South Parking PM Detour alternative

October 1, 2018

Afternoon Departure from Pentagon South Parking Area toward I-395 South HOV via VA 27

Typical route: Exit from North Rotary Road (Kiss & Ride/Temp Slug Stations), turn left to proceed to S. Rotary and take ramp to I-395 South HOV via Eads Street

Alternate route: Exit from North Rotary Road (Kiss & Ride/Temp Slug Stations). Turn right onto VA-27. Take exit to 110/North Parking. Take the next two left turns. Follow the road towards the bridge to VA-27 South. I-395 South HOV On-Ramp will be on your left.

Learn more here

Afternoon Departure from Pentagon South Parking Area toward I-395 South HOV via VA 27

Typical route: Exit from Pork Chop/Slug Lot, turn left onto Eads St, and take ramp to I-395 South HOV.

Alternate route: Exit from Pork Chop/Slug Lot. Go straight on North Rotary Road and turn right on Connector Road. Turn left on Boundary Channel Drive. Follow the road towards the bridge to VA-27 South. I-395 South HOV On-Ramp will be on your left.

Learn more here

New slug lines at the Staffordboro commuter lot

November 5, 2018

New slug lines to Rosslyn and DC will be added at the Staffordboro commuter lot. Existing line will primarily be used by the Pentagon and other NoVA destinations. Drivers are expected to enter through the north entrance to pick up riders (preferably three) and exit through the south. Learn more here

Temporary Relocation of Rt. 610 Stafford and Mine Rd. Slug Stations at the Pentagon

July 9, 2018

  • July 23rd, Rt. 610 Stafford and Rt. 610 Mine Road slug stations will be temporarily relocated from Fern Street to N. Rotary Road Kiss & Ride for Afternoon slugging pick-ups due to construction on Eads St.
  • Rt. 3 Fredericksburg and Rt. 17 Stafford will remain in the same location near Fern St. and the Motorcycle Lot.
  • Drivers should review the new locations shown below, and pay attention to signs for wayfinding.

Learn more here

Traffic pattern changes for South Parking & Eads St. during PM rush hour

October 1, 2018

New! Major traffic pattern changes. Travel lanes shifting during PM rush hour. The new traffic pattern begins mid-October 2018 for South Parking & Eads St. 

Temporary Rt. 610 slug stations remain at Kiss & Ride area.

Construction continuing on Eads Street this Fall and Winter. Expect delays and consider alternative options.

Learn more about the Eads St. PM Detour

Traffic pattern changes for South Parking & Eads St. during AM rush hour

October 1, 2018

New! Major traffic pattern changes. Travel lanes shifting during AM rush hour. The new traffic pattern begins mid-October 2018 for South Parking & Eads St. 

Temporary Rt. 610 slug stations remain at Kiss & Ride area.

Construction continuing on Eads Street this Fall and Winter. Expect delays and consider alternative options.

Learn more about the Eads Street AM Detour

395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program Awards Funding to the Bright Resilient Youth Committed to Enrichment and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program

March 28, 2017

Alexandria, Va. – Transurban, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s partner on the 395 Express Lanes project, today announced that the Bright Resilient Youth Committed to Enrichment (BRYCE) and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)’s SoberRide each received a $5,000 grant this quarter through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program.
 
The BRYCE project is an enrichment program designed to engage young women in activities that develop their social and emotional skills. The participants learn the values of the community and give back by doing random acts of kindness as individuals and in groups. BRYCE encourages friendship, diversity, and individuality and plants the seed at an early age of the importance of education.  
 
“The BRYCE Project was pleased to receive a grant from the 395 Express Lanes grant program,” said LaVon Curtis, Founder, BRYCE Project. “As an all-volunteer organization, these funds allow us to continue our work in providing community, leadership, and mentoring to young women as they prepare for adulthood. One of our upcoming events supported by this grant is a career event which provides young women the chance to hear real-life lessons from professional women and engage in networking.” 
 
The WRAP is a non-profit focused on using effective education, innovative programs, and targeted advocacy to end alcohol-impaired driving and underage drinking in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It is best known for its free taxi service, SoberRide, which discourages drunk driving and has provided more than 65,000 free rides to would-be impaired drivers in the Greater Washington Area. The program is credited with keeping the area’s alcohol related traffic deaths lower than the national average. 
 
“This 395 Express Lanes grant is helping improve safety for the region, through WRAP’s assistance to those enjoying drinks on holidays to know they have the option to get home without getting behind the wheel…we will continue to partner on four other holidays this year, due to the generous support by our sponsors including Transurban,” said Kurt Erickson, President and CEO, WRAP.
 
“As part of the Northern Virginia community, Transurban cares about the wellbeing and safety of the communities in which we operate and seeks opportunities to address the needs of our neighbors and community partners,” said Mike McGurk, spokesman, Transurban. “We are excited to support the BRYCE project and WRAP’s SoberRide program in their efforts to improve the wellbeing of our neighbors through the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program.”
 
The next application deadline for the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program is March 31, 2017. Applications are accepted and grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. Interested organizations and community members can learn more by reading the 395 Express Lanes Community Grant Program Overview and Guidelines and apply online by completing a short application at 395ExpressLanes.com/grant-application.
 
About the 395 Express Lanes
The 395 Express Lanes project will convert the I-395 HOV lanes to Express Lanes to provide travelers with faster, more predictable travel options. The project will extend the Express Lanes network and add a third lane along the project corridor. The 395 Express Lanes will span from Edsall Road to the vicinity of the Eads Street Interchange. The improvements will be delivered through a public-private partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation and Transurban. For more information, please visit 395ExpressLanes.com.
 
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Governor McAuliffe Announces Major Transportation Improvements to the I-95 Corridor in the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia Regions

November 24, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced major projects to improve transportation on one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the country – I-95 and I-395 in Northern Virginia. Improvements are planned for both ends of the 95 Express Lanes to ease the traffic bottleneck in Stafford County in the southern end and to extend the express lanes to the DC line in the northern end.
 
“These are significant transportation improvements that will move more people and commerce through an interstate corridor, and a critical jobs corridor,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “In working with our private sector partner Transurban and local governments, we will fix the bottleneck on the southern end in Stafford County, and travelers will have the choice of taking an express trip from south of Garrisonville Road all the way up to the DC line.   This represents a true multi-modal solution offering commuters a reliable trip so they can reach their destination faster in one the most congested regions of the country.”
 
Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne added, “The projects are the result of the Commonwealth’s engagement with our private-sector partner, the public and local officials to come up with the right transportation solutions that address the greatest needs and can be reasonably executed.  There is no one magic fix that resolves all problems. It takes a combination of additional capacity, express lanes and multi-modal improvements to move more people efficiently and safely.”
 
I-95 Express Lanes Southern Terminus

  • The project will extend 95 Express Lanes by approximately 2 miles past the point where the current flyover carries southbound traffic to Exit 143/Garrisonville Road in Stafford County. A reversible single lane would be built, eventually splitting into northbound and southbound merge ramps.
  • Southbound traffic in 95 Express Lanes will be able to continue driving past Exit 143 at Garrisonville Road. Southbound traffic will merge back into the mainline I-95 southbound lanes approximately 1,500 feet beyond the Garrisonville Road on-ramp to I-95 southbound. Traffic will merge into the left lane of I-95. This spacing will balance local and express lanes traffic entering I-95 southbound.
  • Northbound traffic can enter the 95 Express Lanes sooner. The new northbound entrance will be located approximately 1,000 ft. before the I-95 northbound off-ramp at Exit 143 to Route 1 at Aquia. Northbound traffic will merge into express lanes from the left lane.
  • Construction is estimated to begin in 2016 and take two years to complete. Work will primarily take place within the median and within the existing right-of-way.  No personal or business property should be affected. 

 
I-395 Express Lanes Extension 

  • The project will extend the 395 Express Lanes for eight miles north to the DC line. The project will convert and expand the existing HOV lanes on I-395 from Turkeycock Run north to the district to dynamically tolled express lanes.
  • An additional express lane will be built, providing three express lanes in the corridor.
  • There will be dedicated funding for new and enhanced transit services and carpooling incentives.
  • The work will be done by Transurban under the existing contract it has with the Virginia Department of Transportation.
  • Construction is expected to begin in 2017, with the extended lanes opening to traffic in 2019.
  • Vehicles with three or more people will continue to use the express lanes for free.  Solo drivers will have the choice to take general purpose lanes for free or use the express lanes for a variable toll.

 
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