10/02/04 photos taken by Carter Buchanan. 08/01/05 photos taken by Alex Nitzman.
Interstates 95 & 495 North
Interstates 95 & 495 share eight miles of the Capital Beltway east between the Springfield Interchange and Woodrow Wilson Bridge. All interchange leading east to the District of Columbia line serve the independent city of Alexandria. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Interstate 95 next approaches Exit 173, Junction Virginia Secondary 613 (Van Dorn Street) south to Franconia and north to Alexandria. Van Dorn Street becomes a part of Virginia 401 north of the Alexandria city line. Virginia 401 travels three miles to Virginia 420 (Seminary Road). Photo taken 08/01/05.
Between Exit 170 and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Interstates 95 & 495 head almost due east and pass over Metro's Blue Line between its end at Franconia-Springfield and its Van Dorn Street Station. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Northbound Interstate 95/Eastbound Interstate 495/Capital Beltway Outer Loop reaches the Exit 173 trumpet interchange with Virginia Secondary 613 (Van Dorn Street). A short access road connects the Beltway with Van Dorn Street north of Oakwood Road. Photo taken 10/02/04.
The next exit on northbound/outer loop is Exit 174, Junction Eisenhower Avenue Connector into Alexandria. Photo taken 10/02/04.
A diamond interchange joins the Eisenhower Connector with Interstates 95 & 495 at Exit 174. The connector joins the Capital Beltway with parallel Eisenhower Avenue over the Blue Metro Line. Eisenhower Avenue leads east from Virginia 401 (Van Dorn Street) to Holland Lane near downtown Alexandria. There is no access between the Connector and Clermont Drive south to Virginia Secondary 644 (Franconia Road). Photo taken 08/01/05.
The next suite of photos shows the original configuration of Interstates 95 & 495 north before and during construction associated with the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project. The massive project to replace the Potomac River bridge and rebuild the beltway between the Eisenhower Connector and Maryland 210 (Indian Head Highway) began in 2002 and was near completion in 2009. Photos covering the current Interstate 95 & 495 northbound configuration are available at Adam Froehlig's web site.
Interstates 95 & 495 North (Old Configuration)
The next exit along northbound/outer loop is Exit 176, Junction Virginia 241 (Telegraph Road). Virginia 241 follows Telegraph Road north from Virginia Secondary 661 (Telegraph Road). Since the next of photos were taken, Interstate 95 & 495 now partitions into separate local and through carriageways. The through carriageway travels the inside lanes of the Beltway with limited on and off-ramps. The local road utilizes the outside set of lanes and facilitates movements to all interchanges. Photo taken 10/02/04.
One half mile west of the directional cloverleaf interchange with Virginia 241 (Exits 176A/B). Virginia 241 constitutes a 1.88-mile route between Virginia 236 (Duke Street) and U.S. 1 (Richmond Highway). All movements to Virginia 241 (Telegraph Road) and the new Eisenhower Avenue ramp to the Metro Yellow Line Eisenhower Avenue station must use the local lanes. Photo taken 10/02/04.
A directional ramp carries drivers to Virginia 241 (Telegraph Road) northbound (Exit 176B) and to Eisenhower Avenue at Hoffman Town Center via the local lanes. Virginia 241 ends one half mile north at a trumpet interchange with Virginia 236 (Duke Street) adjacent to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Photo taken 08/01/05.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 95/Eastbound Interstate 495/Capital Beltway Outer Loop is Exit 177, Junction U.S. 1 south to Fort Belvoir and north to Alexandria. Formerly a directional-cloverleaf interchange, construction in association with the Woodrow Wilson Project upgraded the junction to include a new flyover ramp from U.S. 1 north to the Beltway west and loop ramps to Interstates 95 & 495 east. Additionally a new partial "Y" interchange connects the beltway west with Mill Road to Eisenhower Avenue. Photos taken 08/01/05 & 10/02/04.
Interestingly, Mount Vernon may be reached via U.S. 1 north or south. Via south U.S. 1, follow U.S. 1 south to Virginia 235 south to Mount Vernon. Via north U.S. 1, follow U.S. 1 north to Virginia 400/Vernon Memorial Highway south to Mount Vernon. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Northbound Interstate 95/Eastbound Interstate 495/Capital Beltway Outer Loop reach their final Virginia exit upon reaching Exit 177B, Junction U.S. 1 north to Alexandria, Old Town, and Mount Vernon via Virginia 400. The freeway continues straight ahead, clipping the District of Columbia before entering Maryland as it crosses the Potomac River. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Interstate 95/Interstate 495/Capital Beltway approach the Woodrow Wilson. Since the state line between Virginia and the District of Columbia lies on the southwest bank of the Potomac River, most of the bridge is in the district and Maryland. There are no signs denoting the District or Maryland state lines. Photo taken 08/01/05.
