A Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction project will reduce Outer Loop Beltway traffic to one lane this weekend in preparation for a major traffic shift planned for next week.
The current three Outer Loop lanes on and surrounding the bridge are set to close late Sunday as traffic moves to three newly constructed lanes.
The first section of the three new lanes on the Virginia side is currently serving as an off-ramp from the Beltway to Route 1.
Officials expect some confusion when the new lanes shift to through-traffic next week as drivers adjusting to the new route slow down to ensure the lanes will take them across the Potomac River.
The old lanes are scheduled to reopen at the end of the year, with three additional Inner Loop lanes, bringing the total number of bridge lanes to 12.
Only 10 of the lanes will be open to traffic, as two lanes will be reserved for future transit options, which could include bus rapid transit, light rail or Metro, officials said.
The additional bridge lanes are expected to relieve a crushing bottleneck resulting from an eight-lane Beltway feeding a six-lane bridge.
Officials expect backups on the Beltway west of Telegraph Road to continue through 2012 or 2013, when construction of the interchange is scheduled to be completed.
This weekend, workers plan to complete the final portion of the new Outer Loop lanes leading to the bridge on the Virginia side.
“If you don’t have to come to this part of the Beltway this weekend, don’t,” said Virginia Department of Transportation project manager Ronaldo Nicholson.
Workers will need to transport trucks carrying 3,000 tons of asphalt through the area — a feat that would be made more time-consuming by heavy traffic.
Friday after 9 p.m., the Outer Loop is scheduled to be reduced to one lane and all four Route 1 ramps and the ramp from Telegraph Road North to the Outer Loop will close.
A second Outer Loop lane is scheduled to reopen to traffic Saturday afternoon, with the Route 1 ramps, though the Springfield Interchange ramp to the Outer Loop will be closed Saturday morning.
The third Outer Loop lane will reopen Sunday, officials said.
