Road Closures Announced As Work on George Washington Memorial Pkwy Begins

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Work will begin on a project resurface the George Washington Memorial Parkway and replace some of its pedestrian crossings on April 23, and lane closures and diversions should be expected, the National Park Service warns.

The work will be undertaken between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and First Street in Alexandria. According to a release by the National Park Service, the top layer of worn asphalt on both directions of the road will be removed and the road will be repaved, with work taking place overnight and one weekends.

Work is expected to continue through June as weather permits.

The park service warns that starting the week of April 27, residents should be aware that pedestrian crossings and bike lanes will start to close and could be closed for a week at a time. Detour routes will be established.

The service also notes that part of the Columbia Island parking lot near Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac will be used by construction crews as a staging area for the duration of the project.

Below are more details on closures and traffic pattern changes.

GW Parkway traffic pattern from Ronald Reagan National Airport to First Street Alexandria as paving work is done.

• From 7:15 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and on weekends: Drivers will have one lane open in each direction. 

GW Parkway traffic pattern for daytime pedestrian crossing work in Alexandria.

• Morning rush hour on weekdays (5:30 to 9:30 a.m.): Drivers will have two southbound lanes and one northbound lane.  
• Evening rush hour on weekdays (2:45 to 7:15 p.m.): Drivers will have two northbound lanes and one southbound lane.

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic pattern changes starting the week of April 27.

• Bashford Lane: Crews will close two pedestrian crossings at the intersection of the parkway and Bashford Lane. Crews will close one crossing at a time. If your usual crosswalk is closed, follow the posted detour signs and use the crosswalk on the opposite side of Bashford Street. The adjacent bike lane will also be closed while the work is underway.

• Slaters Lane: Crews will close the pedestrian crossing at the intersection of the parkway and Slaters Lane. Pedestrians should follow posted detour signs.

• First Street: During overnight and weekend milling and paving operations on the parkway, one pedestrian crossing from North Washington Street to First Street will be closed. Pedestrians should follow detour signs to use the pedestrian crossing on the opposite side of North Washington Street.

Construction will also require periodic ramp closures entering and exiting the parkway.

Drivers are encouraged to share the road with bicyclists and use caution in work zones. Message boards and construction signs along the parkway will provide updated information.