Notes: Commuters face nightly I-395 lane closures near Pentagon for bridge repairs

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Aug. 21, the 233rd day of 2025. There are 132 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: Isolated showers before 8 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Mostly cloudy tonight, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 64. North wind 6 to 8 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Commuters traveling southbound on Interstate 395 near the Pentagon should prepare for potential delays next week as the Virginia Department of Transportation implements nightly lane closures for essential bridge maintenance work.

Starting Sunday night, Aug. 24, and continuing through Thursday night, Aug. 28, VDOT will close lanes on the southbound I-395 general purpose lanes between 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night, weather permitting. The closures will affect a bridge located approximately a quarter-mile past Exit 8A to Pentagon South Parking, Route 27/Washington Boulevard and South Arlington Ridge Road. The work is part of a larger project to close joints and make minor repairs to several bridges along the I-395 corridor.

The lane closure schedule will follow a consistent pattern throughout the five-day period. From 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., one lane will be closed, followed by two-lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. VDOT officials emphasize that at least one southbound general purpose lane will remain open at all times to maintain traffic flow, though drivers should still expect delays and consider using alternate routes during the construction window.

Transportation officials are urging all road users to exercise caution when traveling through the active work zone and to stay alert to changing traffic patterns while minimizing distractions. Commuters can stay updated on traffic conditions, work zone information and incidents through VDOT’s online portal at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, the free 511Virginia mobile app or by calling 511.

What else to know

🗓️ Five African-American youths staged America’s first deliberate and planned sit-in at the segregated Alexandria Library on Queen St. on this day in 1939 — more than two decades before the tactic would become the trademark of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.

🚔 Rep. Don Beyer and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton plan to reintroduce legislation requiring federal police officers to use body and dashboard cameras when Congress returns in September.

📚 Two award-winning children’s authors will appear together at an Alexandria event next month to celebrate reading and the launch of a new middle-grade mystery.

👉 A Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District has accused Alexandria Sheriff’s Office deputies of wrongfully arresting him during an eviction on Monday morning, despite having what he claims was a pending appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals.

🎶 Looking for something to do this week or the weekend? Here’s our weekly roundup of all the events, entertainment, and live music happening out there.

🎉 The Alexandria Chamber will celebrate its inaugural 40 Over 40 Awards tonight at Freeman Headquarters. Congrats to all the honorees!

📈 Wednesday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Aug. 20, 2025.

1. Woman found dead during eviction process in Alexandria
2. Alexandria council member calls for investigation into housing authority CEO living in public housing
3. Alexandria police searched for 2 suspects in S. 28th Street shooting that injured 1
4. Alexandria housing authority tenants protest poor conditions, delayed repairs
5. Federal agents return to Chirilagua, arrest individual at bus stop day after construction worker detentions

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s happening today in Alexandria, as per our newsletter and event calendar.

• 6:00 pm: Happy Hour Concert Series at Carlyle Crossing: Too Much Talent Band
• 6:00 pm: Artist, musician, neighbor and friend Andreas Barrett is back with new artworks

Things To Do

• 10 a.m.: Book a Librarian – Applications Assistance at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
• 10 a.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 10:15 & 11:15 a.m.: Here Nor There Story Time at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 12 p.m.: Line Dancing at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 1:15 p.m.: Baby Bounce at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 2 p.m.: Old Town North Farmers’ Market at Montgomery Park
• 2 p.m.: Summer Film Series – “Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game” at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 3 p.m.: Carefull Knitting – Knitting and Crochet for Good at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
• 5 p.m.: Plant & Paint Workshop at Shop Made in VA
• 5 p.m.: Intro to Robotics for Kids at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 5:30 p.m.: Alexandria Oddball Cinema – Date with an Angel at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 6 p.m.: Artist, musician, neighbor and friend Andreas Barrett is back with new artworks at Nepenthe Gallery
• 6 p.m.: Happy Hour Concert Series at Carlyle Crossing: Too Much Talent Band
• 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night – ages 6-12 – Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
• 6 p.m.: Nerdy Knotters – Knitting and Crochet group at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
• 6:30 p.m.: Life Stories Book Club – “Fox and I” by Catherine Raven at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
• 7 p.m.: Great Books Foundation Discussion Group – “Even Deadlier: A Sequel to The 7 Deadly Sins Sampler” virtually with Alexandria Library
• 8 p.m.: Shanty Sing Along with Ship’s Company Chantymen with Tall Ship Providence

• 5:30 p.m.: Public Health Advisory Commission
• 6 p.m.: ACPS School Board Meeting

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.