Getting to Lorton with Posted Travel Delay Warnings

[erinch]

Help! Hoyamom posted this in the autotrain thread, but I need to elevate it. We are leaving on Tuesday, with a tight timeframe to drive to Lorton. What route IS VOT (or anybody else in the know) recommending, if driving from PA to Lorton. I cannot imagine the set of DH's jaw and the look of his fists on the wheel if we get that close, and then it all screws up. Anyone??

From Hoyamom: Long Term Traffic Delays Near Autotrain Station in Lorton VA

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Hello. I've been lurking for a few weeks, because my family is taking the Autotrain this summer. Thank you so much for all of the information.

I wanted to let you know that the VA Dept of Transportation (VDOT) is advising drivers to avoid the Wilson Bridge project, which is heavily traveled and is on I-495 (the "Beltway") a few miles off of I-95. I live near DC, and VDOT has a big advertising (public service?) campaign on the radio advising drivers to avoid the bridge because of construction delays, lane closures, etc. According the ads, a new phase of that multi-year construction project is starting now, hence the new lane closures, etc. Even with all of the construction delays in the last few years, I haven't seen any other traffic warnings advertised like this, which is why I'm taking it seriously. Anyone driving on I-495 (the "Beltway") to the Lorton station may want to plan accordingly.

Thanks again!

Amy

 

[nordkin]

The Wilson Bridge project does cause serious delays during rush hour, but not long delays the rest of the day. Remember rush hour in the morning is from about 5AM to 9AM and the afternoon from about 2:30 PM to 7PM. If you are coming from central or western PA you could use RT15 to 270 to 495, on the western side of the beltway, to 95 south in Springfield and totally avoid the Wilson Bridge.

 

[erinch]

Thank you so much!!

Is Springfield still a construction mess?

 

[nordkin]

It is not a mess going south. That part of the construction is finished and it is much easier to get on to 95 south now. Going north, it sometimes backs up but not often.