Dr. Gridlock - D.C. area transportation and traffic news and advice - June 6, 2010

Meet the MARC Managers

Riders on the Brunswick Line can meet the MARC commuter rail managers at the Brunswick Station on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

By Michael Bolden | June 12, 2010; 8:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save & Share:

15 Metrobus routes detour this weekend

With all of the events around the region this weekend, Metro will detour buses on 15 routes in the District and Arlington on Saturday and Sunday.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 7:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Biking, Metro, Metrobus
Save & Share:

A new look for bus operators

If your Metrobus operator is sporting a polo shirt and shorts when you board the X2 it isn't that he's being a fashion rebel. Metro is debuting new uniforms for the workers.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 6:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Metro, Metrobus
Save & Share:

Up close and personal with big trucks

The District will hold its Third Annual Truck Touch event Saturday at RFK Stadium from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 6:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Events
Save & Share:

Accident at Benning and East Capitol

D.C. police are investigating a three-vehicle accident which happened at Benning Road and East Capitol Street about 4:45 p.m. No serious injuries were reported. -- Clarence Williams...

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 5:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting, Congestion
Save & Share:

Naked guy delays Beltway traffic

If your trip on the Beltway in Prince George's County came to a temporary halt this afternoon, a naked man on the outer loop probably was the cause. We first learned of the incident when the Twitterverse lit up with news of a naked man on the highway.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 4:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Capital Beltway, Commuting, Congestion
Save & Share:

Metro worker arrested in police assault

The ARLnow blog is reporting that a Metro employee was arrested Thursday night at the Pentagon City Metro station. Their report is here.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 12:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Huge delays on Rte. 50 in Md.

The early weekend getaway traffic was slowly crawling on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge due to a multi-vehicle accident on the eastbound span that shut down traffic to all but one lane.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 10:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Congestion
Save & Share:

Tolls set for first segment of ICC

Cars using the Intercounty Connector's first 5.5. mile segment will pay $1.45 during morning and afternoon rush hours (6- 9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m); $1.15 during off-peak hours, and 60 cents from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., but truckers will pay much more, Maryland transportation officials said Friday.

By Michael Bolden | June 11, 2010; 9:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Commuting, Highways
Save & Share:

I-395 North slow at 14th St Bridge

Here's a roundup of what's impacting commuters this morning

By Mark Berman | June 11, 2010; 5:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: kenliworth ave, morning commute, pennsylvania ave
Save & Share:

DDOT site helps monitor projects

DDOT is revamping its Web portal on the District's home page, allowing residents to monitor the progression of projects in their wards step by step--and determine which projects are over budget or pushing deadline, and why.

By Luke Rosiak | June 10, 2010; 4:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Construction
Save & Share:

Worker killed by freight train ID'd

Hanover County authorities say a CSX worker has died after being hit by a freight train.The accident disrupted Amtrak passenger train service between Richmond and Washington, D.C.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 4:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Amtrak
Save & Share:

Delays in anti-fatigue rules criticized

Lawmakers are demanding Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood fulfill a promise he made last year after an airline crash in Buffalo, N.Y., that killed 50 people to write new rules aimed at preventing pilot fatigue.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 3:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines, Transportation Politics
Save & Share:

Metro budget situation even bleaker

Metro's operating budget shortfall for the current fiscal year will increase by an estimated $25 million due to lost revenue and other costs of the winter snowstorms as well as higher than expected paratransit costs, according to Metro officials.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 1:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Metro to install more credit card readers

Metro plans to install credit card readers in exit lanes at 22 more Metro parking facilities to improve convenience for customers, and is seeking approval from the Board of Directors to fund the project.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 1:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Metro data could mean useful apps

In the relatively stagnant history of DC bus riding, few innovations have been the game-changer that the Nextbus system has. The online service tells you when your bus will arrive at its stop and eliminates the need to wait aimlessly or decode a schedule--plus recognizes that when a bus is scheduled to arrive and when it will arrive can be very different things, and uses GPS to beam buses' actual locations to computer servers in real time.

By Luke Rosiak | June 10, 2010; 12:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Arlington delays red-light cameras

Arlington has delayed by one week the planned use of new red-light cameras at four intersections.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 12:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Commuting
Save & Share:

VRE crafts contingency plan

Virginia Railway Express has crafted a contingency plan that asks Amtrak to continue service for two additional weeks if the new operator for the commuter-rail service is not prepared to begin on June 28.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 11:53 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuter Rail, Commuting, Transportation Politics, Virginia Railway Express
Save & Share:

Metro panel OKs new fare hike idea

Metro's Board of Directors on Thursday is scheduled to debate a new five-cent surcharge that would apply to entry and exit in two stations in each Virginia, Maryland and the District to fund capital improvements at those stations.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 11:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Orange Line split this weekend

There will be no Orange Line service between the East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations this weekend. The Dulles Metrorail project will be working on the first of a series of construction programs that by 2013 will connect the new rail line to the rest of the system.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 11:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Metro, Orange Line
Save & Share:

Rte 123 to close at 495 this weekend

Traffic on the Capital Beltway's outer loop has been shifted to a new bridge over Route 123 and the ramps have been adjusted. The old Beltway bridge is scheduled to be demolished. That will require the complete closing of Route 123 at the Beltway from 9:30 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, June 14.

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 10:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Capital Beltway, Congestion
Save & Share:

Share your commuting stories

Share your experiences riding the rails and roads in our discussion group, Taken for a Ride. Life on the Red Line | Life on the Orange Line | Life on the Green Line | Life on the Yellow Line |...

By Michael Bolden | June 10, 2010; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

Save & Share:

Brief Red Line delays

Red Line delays

By Mark Berman | June 10, 2010; 7:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro | Tags: metro red line, red line
Save & Share:

U.S. 50 jammed at Beltway in Maryland

Here's a look at the headaches being faced by commuters this morning

By Mark Berman | June 10, 2010; 5:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Congestion | Tags: i-270 north, morning commute
Save & Share:

Green Line delays resolved

Green Line delays

By Mark Berman | June 10, 2010; 5:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories, Green Line, Metro | Tags: metro delays, metro green line, metrorail
Save & Share:

Standstill at 14th & U

Police and fire trucks have blocked off U Street in NW between 13th and 14th streets due to a hit and run accident at 14th Street, and traffic has ground to a halt near the major intersection on the 14th Street commuting corridor. Traffic is being diverted to 13th, 15th or 16th streets northbound and 13th or 16th streets southbound.

By Luke Rosiak | June 9, 2010; 6:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Driving
Save & Share:

District signals operating again

Update 5:55p.m.: Most of the traffic lights are functioning normally, according to DDOT, after it reset their electrical circuit. Eight traffic lights remain out, mostly in the northwest quadrant. DDOT spokesman John Lisle says the department doesn't yet know what caused traffic lights to go out at more than a dozen intersections at about 3:30 this afternon, but that the situation is "fairly frequent" and should be rectified by the end of the day.

By Luke Rosiak | June 9, 2010; 4:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Driving
Save & Share:

Strasburg, Metro set records

Tuesday became the sixth highest ridership day in Metrorail's history. The transit authority attributes that to the crowds heading to Nationals Park to watch the debut of pitcher Steven Strasburg and to Verizon Center for the James Taylor/Carole King concert.

By Robert Thomson | June 9, 2010; 4:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Events, Metro, Transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail
Save & Share:

Share your commuting stories

Share your experiences riding the rails and roads in our discussion group, Taken for a Ride. Life on the Red Line | Life on the Orange Line | Life on the Green Line | Life on the Yellow Line |...

By Michael Bolden | June 9, 2010; 9:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

Save & Share:

New phase on 14th St. Bridge

Drivers on the northbound 14th Street Bridge should get set for a lane shift starting Monday, as the year-old rehabilitation project on the bridge enters a new phase. While the current phase has lasted way longer than we told you in May 2009, it has been relatively easy to deal with.

By Robert Thomson | June 9, 2010; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Commuting, Congestion, Construction, District, Driving | Tags: 14th Street Bridge, Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Orange and Blue Line delays

Smoke has been reported at McPherson Square Metro.

By Mark Berman | June 9, 2010; 7:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Advisories, Metro | Tags: mcpherson square, metro
Save & Share:

Orange Line delays

By Mark Berman | June 9, 2010; 7:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories, Metro | Tags: metro delays, metrorail delays, orange line, orange line delays
Save & Share:

I-395 North jammed at 14th St Bridge

Here's a roundup of the headaches facing commuters during this morning rush hour.

By Mark Berman | June 9, 2010; 5:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Congestion | Tags: i-495 north, i-95 north, morning commute
Save & Share:

Headaches on the horizon

Nationals Park If you're Strasburg-bound tonight, a couple of reminders:

By Robert Thomson | June 8, 2010; 5:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
Save & Share:

I-66 spot widening to start

This project, which has set outside-the-Beltway commuters against inside-the-Beltway communities, is scheduled to begin next week.

By Robert Thomson | June 8, 2010; 5:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Commuting, Construction, Transportation Politics, Virginia | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, I-66
Save & Share:

Federal Center SW Station reopens

Metro reports that shuttle bus service has been established between Capitol South and L'Enfant Plaza stations while officials investigate smoke at Federal Center SW Station . Riders should expect delays as the shuttle buses don't operate as efficiently as the trains.

By Michael Bolden | June 8, 2010; 1:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

NTSB investigating plane crash at DCA

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the Tuesday morning accident at Reagan National Airport, which occurred about 10:05 a.m. Eight vintage biplanes were headed to the airport to mark the premiere of "Legends of Flight," a 3-D IMAX film about aviation history, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The plane landed before pitching forward and rolling over. The plane was carrying the pilot and one passenger--a Washington Post reporter. They were not injured.

By Luke Rosiak | June 8, 2010; 10:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Airports
Save & Share:

Share your commuting stories

Share your experiences riding the rails and roads in our discussion group, Taken for a Ride. Life on the Red Line | Life on the Orange Line | Life on the Green Line | Life on the Yellow Line |...

By Michael Bolden | June 8, 2010; 9:26 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

Save & Share:

D.C. revises bike lane plan

[4 p.m. update] Gabe Klein, the director of the District Department of Transportation, says he's heard every rumor out there about why he decided to narrow the planned space for bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Did the mayor make him do it? Did AAA?

By Robert Thomson | June 8, 2010; 9:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (42)
Categories: Biking, Traffic Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Closings set for Rock Creek Parkway

More difficulties for drivers using Rock Creek Parkway: From this Wednesday through the end of August, work along the side of the parkway may require temporary closings of the southbound lanes and the adjacent trail just north of Q Street NW.

By Robert Thomson | June 8, 2010; 8:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Construction, District, Driving | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Rock Creek Parkway
Save & Share:

6th St NE blocked at C St

a roundup of all the headaches facing commuters this morning

By Mark Berman | June 8, 2010; 5:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories, Commuting, Congestion | Tags: Morning commute, i-395 north, morning roundup
Save & Share:

Headaches on the horizon

This beautiful weather will linger through tonight and Tuesday, says the Capital Weather Gang, so enjoy your evening travels but be wary of these potential delays.

By Robert Thomson | June 7, 2010; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
Save & Share:

TSA: Full-body scans at BWI

The Transportation Security Administration says full-body scans are about to become routine for passengers at BWI Airport.

By Michael Bolden | June 7, 2010; 6:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Airports
Save & Share:

Getting to Nationals Park on Tuesday

Baseball fans want to see the new kid, Stephen Strasburg, make his first major league appearance, scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. First, they've got to get there.

By Robert Thomson | June 7, 2010; 5:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Driving, Events, Transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Nationals Park
Save & Share:

Five Metro workers placed on leave

Five Metrorail employees were removed from service on Monday pending the outcome of an investigation after a 10-car train was mistakenly put into service on the Green Line on Monday morning.

By Michael Bolden | June 7, 2010; 2:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Metro
Save & Share:

Where should Metrorail stop?

In my Dr. Gridlock column on Sunday, Joan Pifer of Great Falls and I discussed where we'd like to see the Dulles Metro line stop -- not that we really have any choice about it. She'd like it to serve Wolf Trap and the Reston Town Center after the line gets west of Tysons Corner.

By Robert Thomson | June 7, 2010; 12:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Dulles Rail
Save & Share:

Share your commuting stories

Share your experiences riding the rails and roads in our discussion group, Taken for a Ride. Life on the Red Line | Life on the Orange Line | Life on the Green Line | Life on the Yellow Line |...

By Michael Bolden | June 7, 2010; 9:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)

Save & Share:

The week ahead for traffic, transit

Looks like a great week for travel across the D.C. region, with Wednesday the one day with a good chance of rain, the Capital Weather Gang says. Tysons Corner is the focus of a lot of road work. Metrorail has one more weekend disruption coming on the Orange Line. And generally, there are a lot of local routes with paving and sidewalk projects underway.

By Robert Thomson | June 7, 2010; 7:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead
Save & Share:

Network News

Dr. Gridlock: June 6, 2010 - June 12, 2010