495 Express Lanes

Transurban staff and George Mason University representatives plant a ceremonial tomato plant in the university's recently installed organic vegetable garden. The garden was supported by a grant from the 495 Express Lanes Community Grant Program and provides fresh produce to local food kitchens and the university.

Student volunteers develop and run George Mason University's organic vegetable garden. Using the Transurban-Fluor community grant, garden supervisors purchased essential supplies including a watering hose, a wheelbarrow, tools and organic top soil.

A grant delivered to the Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling was used to purchase and install lights on bicycles belonging to disadvantaged members of the community. Project staff volunteered to help with the program which reached over 150 riders.

At Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church, students, teachers and project staff gather to celebrate the rainwater garden conservation program. Funds received from the community grant program helped the implementation of the program.

Transurban staff volunteer at Nature Playce, an open woodland space designed for safe nature play, in Hidden Oaks park. The park received a grant to develop a water-themed play feature inside the space.

Santa came to Lake Accotink Park in Springfield in the winter of 2010 to the delight of children and adults alike. The hayride was supported by a community grant.

An antique fire engine in McLean received much-needed repairs using money from a Transurban-Fluor grant award. The restored, historic machine is paraded around the community at festivals, ceremonies and other events.

A grant award for reforestation in a North Springfield community is celebrated at a local elementary school where students cut the ribbon to kick off the planting.

Fairfax County residents assemble rain barrels used to help conserve water and manage storm water runoff. Two hundred barrels were created through workshops hosted by the county and a handful of homeowners associations. The HOAs were provided with grant awards to help cover costs.

The 495 Express Lanes Community Grant Program supported Fairfax County's Summer Concert Series in the summer of 2011. The county offers the musical concerts free of charge at a local parks.

495 Express Lanes project representatives speak to an assembly of high-schoolers about the dangers of distracted driving in construction zones as part of the Orange Cones. No Phones. program.

Transurban staff chat with high-schoolers about careers in transportation during a VDOT career fair. Project staff also challenged students to take an Orange Cones. No Phones. pledge at the event.

Fluor-Lane, the design-builder of the 495 Express Lanes, hosts a community cookout for a residential neighborhood located near the project.

Representatives answer residents' questions about the 495 Express Lanes at a community festival.

Project staff answer questions at the 2009 Bike to Work Day pit stop in Fairfax, Virginia. The event raises awareness of alternative modes of transportation and encourages bicyclist commuters.

Area bicyclists enjoy giveaways at the 2009 Bike to Work Day event. Transurban-Fluor, the operators and design-builders behind the 495 Express Lanes, were one of the sponsors of the Fairfax Corner pit stop.

A bicyclist speaks with sponsors at the 2010 Bike to Work Day Merrifield pit stop held in Merrifield Park. The event attracted riders from around the region in an effort to highlight and promote bicycling as a viable commuting option.

Staff from local bike shops gave free tune-ups at the 2010 Bike to Work Day Merrifield pit stop.

Free T-shirts were a big draw at the 2010 Bike to Work Day event. Project partners Transurban-Fluor also sponsored a pit stop at Bike to Work Day in 2009.

A bicyclist registers at the Merrifield pit stop during Bike to Work Day 2011. The 2011 pit stop marked Transurban-Fluor's third year partnering with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association to support Bike to Work Day.

A passing bicyclist stops to pick up some giveaways at the Transurban-Fluor table at the 2011 Bike to Work Day. Approximately 140 people visited the pit stop to receive free T-shirts, tune-ups and health tips.

The 2011 Bike to Work Day pit stop was located immediately off of the W&OD trail, a popular route for bicyclist commuters.

A family of riders stops to pick up T-shirts at the 2011 Merrifield Bike to Work Day pit stop. There were 49 pit stops throughout the regional D.C. area as part of the event.

Bicyclists chat with Transurban representatives at the 2011 pit stop. Project staff gave away Orange Cones. No Phones. stress relievers, water bottles and informational brochures.