Motorists traveling from northbound Route 1 to the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 95 North), in order to cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge , will see their trips improve with the opening of a new ramp, which opened Monday, Sept. 19.

Motorists will enter this ramp on Route 1 North, about 500 feet earlier than the previous ramp. The new ramp, which is located parallel and about 15 feet south of the existing ramp, allows Route 1 North traffic to merge directly onto the Beltway Outer Loop, rather than having to merge with Route 1 South traffic before entering the Beltway.

According to a release from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, the ramp opening is expected to ease gridlock for northbound and southbound Route 1 motorists entering the Beltway by eliminating this difficult merging condition. However, at the end of the ramp, motorists will not have a merge lane and will need to yield to Beltway traffic.

In the coming months, Virginia drivers can expect further changes near the Route 1 Interchange as more Beltway ramps are completed and opened. The bulk of the overall Route 1 Interchange improvements are scheduled to be completed in 2008.

All construction-related road, ramp and lane closures/openings are subject to change, based on weather and contractor scheduling. Click on wilsonbridge.com for the latest construction information.