Megaprojects - Under Construction: I-95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing

Three new Interstate 95 southbound lanes are currently being built in the median for through traffic between just north of Exit 133 (Route 17) in Stafford County and just south of Exit 130 (Route 3) in the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County. The three existing I-95 southbound lanes from north of Route 17 to south of Route 3 will be converted to three southbound lanes for local traffic.

The project will build an additional bridge over the Rappahannock River, parallel to the existing I-95 southbound bridge, to carry the new general purpose lanes for through traffic. Signs will help drivers distinguish the difference between the local lanes and general purpose lanes. 

Interstate 95 Northbound Traffic Diversion

Northbound travelers on Interstate 95 are currently diverted into three temporary travel lanes in the median near Exit 133 (Route 17) as part of this project work zone. Crews are replacing the I-95 northbound overpass of Route 17. Click here to view a display of the temporary work zone pattern: 

Temporary I-95 Northbound traffic pattern

Rapphannock River Access 

Rappahannock River users are advised that the river closed to traffic on Dec. 17, 2019 to accommodate bridge construction as part of the Interstate 95 Southbound Rappahannock River Crossing project. 

Signs are posted to guide river users at the portage, which is located at the I-95 bridges. River access will reopen in spring 2020. Additional signs notifying river users of the portage are installed at major put-in locations upstream: Mott's Landing, Hunting Run, Ely's Ford and Kelly's Ford. 

River access will remain open for the majority of construction, which began near the river in November 2018 and will be complete in May 2022. 

Boaters can check the real-time status of river access on this page to learn if a portage is active by clicking here. 

Work Zone Cameras

Construction at I-95 overpasses at Rappahannock River, City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County

Benefits 

This project seeks to reduce I-95 southbound congestion at Fredericksburg by:

·        providing local traffic with an additional route to travel between Route 17 and Route 3 without merging into the interstate's general purpose lanes

·        doubling the I-95 southbound capacity in the area with three new lanes

·        ramp modifications at the Exit 133 and Exit 130 interchanges

·        replaces existing I-95 bridges over Route 17 that are structurally deficient, and improves height restrictions on Route 17 under I-95

Major Milestones 

August 2018: Construction began

Winter 2019: Construction begins on I-95 bridge over the Rappahannock River

Spring 2019: Construction begins on Route 17

Fall 2020: Two I-95 ramps at Exit 133 will be temporarily closed during construction to provide space to build the new I-95 overpasses over Route 17, and to avoid merging and weaving near the construction work zone. Traffic will be diverted and still be able to enter or exit the interstate at the interchange

May 2022: Construction complete