How’d you like to have an extra lane during your drive to and from work every day? 

That’s what some drivers are getting in Northern Virginia as VDOT adds a fourth lane to I-95 North and South between Occoquan and Newington.

When the project is finished, drivers on I-95 North will have a fourth lane from Route 123 to just north of the Pohick Bridge overpass, a five-mile stretch. Those on I-95 South will have a fourth lane from the Fairfax County Parkway to Route 123, a six-mile stretch.

In addition, 10 bridges over the Occoquan will be widened, eight new sound walls will be put in place and traffic cameras along the road will be upgraded.

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But getting everything finished is going to take some time. The work started about two months ago and isn’t expected to wrap up until 2011.

VDOT says the extra lane both northbound and southbound will ease the congestion in the often clogged area. About 250,000 vehicles a day pass through that stretch.

The work continues this week. Here’s what VDOT has scheduled:

 I-95 SOUTH:

The left lane closes between the Fairfax County Parkway and Lorton Road for electrical work. That happens from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. today through Thursday.

I-95 NORTH:

 The right lane closes between Route 123 and Lorton Road for retaining wall work. That happens from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. today through Thursday.

LORTON ROAD AND ASSOCIATED RAMPS:

The right lane on the ramp from Lorton Road to I-95 South closes from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. today through Thursday. Bridge work is taking place.  On Lorton Road, between the ramps to I-95 North and I-95 South, the right lane closes between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. today through Thursday so that bridge work can be completed.