WASHINGTON — Editor's note: The video above is from a separate story WUSA9 aired in March 2022.
For the first time since the George Washington Parkway was completed nearly 60 years ago, it's getting a $161 million rehabilitation.
Members of Congress broke ground Monday on the 7-mile project on the northern section of the GW Parkway, and work is expected to begin in August. The project includes replacing the asphalt pavement and roadway drainage system, redesigning portions of the Route 123 interchange, repairing stormwater management systems, and lengthening entrance and exit lanes at some interchanges.
Roughly 70,000 vehicles a day use the northern section of the George Washington Parkway, from Spout Run to I-495, which ends up being 26 million drivers a year.
Until now, the northern end of the parkway had not experienced any major makeover since it opened in 1962. Construction will happen in phases beginning with temporary road widening in the median along the northbound travel lanes and on two bridges between Route 123 and Spout Run.
"The parkway will still be open," said Charles Cuvelier, the park superintendent. "You will experience some delays, however. There are other routes."
Officials say that a minimum of one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open at all times during the project.
Drivers have long had a love-hate relationship with the GW Parkway. They love the scenic beauty. But they say hate the tire-busting, axle-breaking sinkholes and potholes that seem to hit it with increasing frequency.
Congress appropriated the money for the renovations as part of the $13 billion Great American Outdoors Act, which was part of the bipartisan infrastructure deal. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) was one of the lead negotiators.
“This historic investment in the parkway will improve visitor safety, preserve the road’s historic design and ensure that future generations can use and enjoy this scenic roadway,” United States Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said.
The work is slated to wrap up in late 2025.
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