The seven and a half mile Project, along the Capital Beltway (I-495), also designated as I-95 is comprised of five sections:

• The Potomac River Bridge - Wilson Bridge
• U.S. Route 1 Interchange
• Telegraph Road Interchange
• I-295 Interchange
• MD 210 - Indian Head Highway Interchange

The project remains on track as it is on-schedule and on-budget. In addition, the project in on schedule to open the first new bridge in mid 2006, initially carrying six lanes of traffic (three in each direction).The second bridge will open in mid 2008, at which time each bridge will carry five lanes of traffic.The year 2008 also will see the completion of Interstate 295, Maryland 210 and a majority of the US Route 1 Interchanges.Finally, despite the addition this year of major improvements to the Telegraph Road Interchange, this last element of the project remains slated for 2011 completion.

Note: Graphic shows the condition prior to October 2000, for orientation purposes.

Construction Progress Summary

Progress through March 2007 includes the following:

Source: May 2007 Financial Overview

Environmental Programs

Environmental programs have been a very high priority for this Project and includes the following:

• Wetland creation and enhancement of nontidal wetlands dominated by phragmites
• Tidal wetland creation comprised of multiple native species
• Restoration of tidal wetlands upon removal of landfill material
• Nontidal wetland creation to provide water quality treatment for uncontrolled stormwater runoff
• Stream bank stabilization to reduce downstream sediment loads
• Stream bank stabilization (grading and planting) to reduce downstream sediment loads
• 20 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitat creation at several sites in the Potomac River
• Preservation of riparian forest, wetland and waterway as mitigation for impacts to Bald Eagle habitat
• Removal of fish blockages to open historical anadramous fish habitat
• Five years of fish hatchery restocking in tributary streams where fish passage restorations are implemented
• Riffle grade controls will be constructed downstream of an existing irrigation diversion weir; downstream of an existing 4-cell box culvert; downstream of an existing sewer line; downstream of existing gabion basket weirs
• A rock chute will be constructed
• Two abandoned concrete fords at the National Zoo will be removed to restore fish

Minority Outreach

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Minority business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise communities have been incorporated into the contracts as follows:

Range of DBE Goals: 0-24%

Awards exceeding goals:

• 16 of 20 Contracts Awarded by the Maryland State Highway Administration
• 11 of 18 Contracts Awarded by the Virginia Department of Transportation

Minority groups include Women, Asian, Afro American and Native American.

More information on the companies working on contracts and skills can be found in the Civil Rights and DBE Section of this site.

Construction Safety

• A Guide to Safe Driving in Maryland's Work Zones (PDF, 1.7mb)