I-495 Express Lanes to Open Saturday

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says "You see pavement. I see jobs.”

Though the I-495 Express Lanes opens to commuters this Saturday, Virginia officials, stakeholders and residents gathered for an early ribbon-cutting celebration celebration Tuesday in Tysons. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony, including Gov. Bob McDonnell, U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) and Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay (D-Lee), among others. McDonnell said the economic impacts from the massive construction project were cause for celebration. Building the lanes brought more than 16,000 jobs and $3.5 billion to the Commonwealth, he said. “It’s pumped billions of dollars into the economy and put thousands of people to work,” McDonnell said. “You see pavement. I see jobs.” Developers paid for 80 percent of the $2 billion …

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