Commuters traveling through northern Alexandria faced significant disruptions Wednesday morning as a critical infrastructure repair project began, with the National Park Service issuing closure alerts warning of major impacts to evening rush hours on both Wednesday and Thursday.
East and West Abingdon drives closed to all traffic at 9 a.m. Wednesday, forcing drivers onto the George Washington Memorial Parkway as the primary detour route. The closure, scheduled to last until 6 a.m. Thursday, marks the first phase of essential railroad crossing repairs.
The disruption will intensify Thursday when all lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway close from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, reversing the traffic pattern and pushing vehicles back onto the newly reopened Abingdon drives.
Norfolk Southern contractors Safety Services & Supply Inc. and Vorst Paving are conducting the repairs to address deteriorating railroad crossings that pose safety risks to motorists. The work involves replacing rotted wooden components beneath the tracks and repairing damaged asphalt surfaces that have degraded over time.
“This work will replace deteriorated materials beneath the tracks and improve pavement conditions, enhancing the driving experience and safety for motorists,” city officials said in the closure announcement.
The timing of the closures will particularly impact evening commuters, prompting the National Park Service to issue high-severity closure alerts specifically warning drivers of delays during Wednesday and Thursday rush hours. Officials designed the schedule to complete the parkway work before Friday morning’s commute begins, but the alternating closure pattern means both Wednesday and Thursday evening traffic will face significant bottlenecks.
Traffic control devices and signage will guide drivers through the detour routes, but transportation officials are urging commuters to allow extra travel time and consider alternative routes when possible.
The maintenance represents a significant investment in regional infrastructure safety, addressing structural issues that could have led to more severe road damage or safety hazards if left unrepaired.
Motorists can find updated information and detailed detour maps at nps.gov/gwmp throughout the closure period.
Maintenance Work North of Old Town Alexandria on George Washington Memorial Parkway and East and West Abingdon Drives Will Result in Closures and Detours Impacting This Wednesday and Thursday Evening Commutes.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – Thursday, July 31, 2025, 6:00 a.m.: East and West Abingdon Drives will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Thursday, July 31, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – Friday, August 1, 2025, 6:00 a.m.: All lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to East and West Abingdon Drives.
Norfolk & Southern contractors Safety Services & Supply Inc. and Vorst Paving will conduct critical repairs to the railroad crossings on East and West Abingdon Drives and the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Work includes replacing rotted wood and damaged asphalt to improve safety and driving conditions.
This work will replace deteriorated materials beneath the tracks and improve pavement conditions, enhancing the driving experience and safety for motorists.
Detours will be in effect during work hours. Traffic control devices will be present to guide motorists through alternate routes. Please plan for extra travel time and follow posted signage.
