Dr. Gridlock: August 15, 2010 - August 21, 2010
NPR series explores role of I-95
For Washington area drivers, Interstate 95 is often a frustrating way to get from Point to Point B, whether you're doing the daily drive from office to work are darting up the Eastern Seaboard for a visit to Philly. NPR is going to explore how Interstate 95 has shaped life along the East Coast in a six-part series that begins this weekend and is scheduled to run through Labor Day
By
Michael Bolden
| August 21, 2010; 3:55 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Driving, Highways
Save & Share:
2nd crash survivor returning home
Lobbyist Jim Morhard, 54, one of the four survivors of the Alaska plane crash that killed former Sen. Ted Stevens and a Germantown man on Aug. 9, is returning to Washington on Saturday. A statement released by his family said Morhard would return to Dulles via medical air ambulance. He has been convalescing at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 21, 2010; 3:26 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Aviation, NTSB
Save & Share:
Roadwork closures for 18th, P streets
Construction on 18th Street NW between Mass. Ave and Florida Ave. will cause temporary changes for drivers and bus riders starting this weekend. A two-block stretch of 18th Street will be northbound only, with southbound traffic diverted to 17th or 19th streets.
By
Luke Rosiak
| August 20, 2010; 5:19 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Metrobus
Save & Share:
Va. submits high-speed rail request
Virginia has submitted new applications requesting federal funding for high-speed rail, including more than $50 million for the I-95 corridor between Richmond and the District, the commonwealth said yesterday.
By
Luke Rosiak
| August 20, 2010; 5:08 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (6)
Categories:
Commuter Rail, Freight Rail, Virginia, Virginia Railway Express
| Tags:
High-speed rail
Save & Share:
CSX: Broken rail caused derailment
Officials say the cause of a freight train derailment in Baltimore earlier this month was a broken rail.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 20, 2010; 1:35 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Freight Rail, Maryland
Save & Share:
Ehrlich pledges to restore road money
Republican Robert Ehrlich says he would restore about $60 million in local aid for road maintenance that has been cut during the recession if he is elected governor.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 20, 2010; 1:29 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (4)
Categories:
Maryland, Transportation Politics
Save & Share:
Odenton Station building closed
MARC's Odenton Station building closed Friday at 1 p.m. because of an unexpected illness, according to the Maryland Transit Administration. Riders will be able to buy one-way tickets on the train without a penalty, officials said....
By
Michael Bolden
| August 20, 2010; 1:05 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC, Maryland
Save & Share:
Inner Loop lanes closing overnight
Avoid the Inner Loop tonight, because two of three lanes will be closed to the west of Telegraph Road for overnight repairs.
By
Mark Berman
| August 20, 2010; 8:38 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Capital Beltway, Commuting, Construction
Save & Share:
MARC Camden Line delays
MARC Camden Line train 847 is running 15 minutes late at College Park and Riverdale.
By
Mark Berman
| August 20, 2010; 7:55 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Misery on the roads and rails
Saturday will be the better of the two weekend days for travelers. The Redskins and Ravens play on Saturday and D.C. United on Sunday, but there are plenty of other outdoor events, including the annual Shakespeare Free for All in downtown Washington. Check out these travel tips for the D.C. area.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 20, 2010; 6:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Advisories, Metro, Weekend Work
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, The weekend and beyond
Save & Share:
Green and Yellow Line delays cleared
There are delays on the Green and Yellow Lines in both directions.
By
Mark Berman
| August 20, 2010; 6:12 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Glebe Rd. blocked at 8th St.
Here's a look at the headaches and issues facing drivers this morning.
By
Mark Berman
| August 20, 2010; 5:50 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Congestion, Driving
Save & Share:
Rep. Connolly to slug to work
Northern Virginia U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly plans to play the part of a slug on Friday.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 6:19 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (6)
Categories:
Commuting, Metro, Northern Virginia
Save & Share:
Road closure on Capitol Hill
As of 5:10pm, parts of Independence Ave and 2nd St near the Library of Congress are closed in both directions due to police activity: the 100 block of Independence Ave SE and 2nd Street from Independence Ave to C Street SE, according to District officials.
By
Luke Rosiak
| August 19, 2010; 5:10 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, District, Driving
Save & Share:
Lane closures on S. Glebe Road
Water main repairs on South Glebe Road at Eighth Street South will cause delays in Arlington. County officials say one lane in each direction on Glebe will be closed during the work, which begins at 8 p.m. and will continue...
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 3:14 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Driving, Northern Virginia
Save & Share:
Car in water near Navy Yard
An SUV plunged into the Anacostia River between the South Capitol Street bridge and Navy Yard this afternoon, prompting rescue crews which included a fireboat, an emergency and fire official said. One adult female was removed from the vehicle and is being evaluated by EMS.
By
Luke Rosiak
| August 19, 2010; 2:01 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Advisories, District
Save & Share:
Fatigue blamed for hole in airplane
Federal investigators say metal fatigue caused a hole to rip open in the roof of a Southwest Airlines jet as it cruised at 35,000 feet last year.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 1:53 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Airlines, Airports
Save & Share:
Md. wants new Ocean City bridge
Maryland highway officials have decided to build a new drawbridge to replace the U.S. 50 bridge into Ocean City.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 1:44 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Driving
Save & Share:
U-Md. to receive transportation grant
The University of Maryland will receive a federal grant to help develop solutions for some of the nation's transportation problems.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 1:19 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Maryland, Traffic Safety, Transportation Politics
Save & Share:
Survey: Pets a distraction for drivers
Say what you will about the danger of distracted drivers on cellphones, those phones never will wave a bushy tail, demand a pat, bark at a squirrel or bite anybody. Dogs will, and 31 percent of dog owners admitted in a national survey that their dogs are a distraction on the highway.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 19, 2010; 12:27 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (7)
Categories:
Driving
Save & Share:
14th Street NW reopens after leak
Wet roads and the potential for flooding remain a problem. Check back here throughout the morning for updates on the morning rush.
By
Mark Berman
| August 19, 2010; 10:45 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Commuting, Driving
Save & Share:
Next phase at 14th St. Bridge
The work zone on the northbound 14th Street Bridge is about to shift again. On Monday, if the plan goes according to schedule, commuters will find the left-center lane blocked as they head for either 14th Street or the Southeast-Southwest Freeway.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 19, 2010; 10:00 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Commuting, Construction, District, Driving
| Tags:
14th Street Bridge, Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
MARC Camden Line delays
MARC Camden Line riders should expect delays.
By
Mark Berman
| August 19, 2010; 7:55 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Foggy Bottom escalators out
All entrance escalators are out of service at the Foggy Bottom station.
By
Mark Berman
| August 19, 2010; 6:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (7)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Headaches on the horizon
The rain that is messing with your travel plans in the D.C. area also is messing with the overnight construction schedules. The lane and ramp closings that had been scheduled for work on the Capital Beltway's Telegraph Road interchange have been canceled. Here's a look at some D.C. street work scheduled over the next few weeks.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 18, 2010; 7:35 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Capital Beltway, District
| Tags:
DDOT, Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
Soggy day segues into damp night
D.C. Fire/EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said that fire and rescue officials are gearing up for what they expect to be a nasty rush hour tonight, where they estimate that an approaching line of storms could dump an additional two inches of rain on an already sodden area in a matter of a few hours.
By
Mark Berman
| August 18, 2010; 7:15 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (15)
Categories:
Advisories, Airports, District, Driving, Maryland, Virginia
Save & Share:
Share your commuter rail stories
Were you riding on MARC or VRE as the thunderstorms moved through Wednesday? What was the ride like and how long was your trip? Post a comment below or send a message to transportation@washpost.com.
By
Mark Berman
| August 18, 2010; 5:00 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Virginia Railway Express
Save & Share:
'Bus' in China would straddle traffic
One of the biggest buzzes in transportation news recently is coming out of China, where the Shenshen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co. has proposed building a "bus" that regular vehicles can literally drive under.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 18, 2010; 2:57 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (5)
Categories:
Transit
Save & Share:
U.Md.'s Campus Drive reopens
The University of Maryland has reopened Campus Drive to all vehicles following an eight-week summer experiment to turn the campus's primary road into a pedestrian mall.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 18, 2010; 1:41 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Driving, Maryland
Save & Share:
Alleged Metrobus impostor may plead guilty
The Posts Keith L. Alexander reports that the 19-year-old arrested in July for impersonating a Metro bus driver and taking it for a ride while picking up passengers along the way told a D.C. Superior Court judge on Wednesday that he plans to plead guilty.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 18, 2010; 12:27 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
District, Metro
Save & Share:
VDOT launches search for CFO
The Virginia Department of Transportation is searching for a new chief financial officer, the Post's Anita Kumar reports. Reta Busher, who began serving as CFO in 2007 under former Gov. Tim Kaine (D), has been asked to take on a...
By
Washington Post Editors
| August 18, 2010; 9:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Save & Share:
Navigating from D.C. to Carolinas
During my online chat Monday, a traveler asked about conditions to the south on Interstate 95, but a little too far out of my range. So I asked readers to help out with their advice. This was the full question: Heading south: I am planning to drive to Charleston, S.C., next Sunday for work. I make trips down to the Carolinas two or three times a year, but this is the first time I've gone this far in one shot. On my past few trips to either North Carolina or the northern part of South Carolina, I've taken Route 29 through Virginia, which takes me down to Greensboro, and I was thinking of that route again this time (mostly to avoid I-95). My question for you and other chatters is, what is 29 like past Greensboro? Is it still a nice trip into South Carolina, or should I consider going to I-85 and I-77 once in North Carolina?
By
Robert Thomson
| August 18, 2010; 9:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Driving, Getaways
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, travel tips
Save & Share:
Red Line delays cleared
Expect big delays on the Red Line. Trains are sharing the same track between Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Avenue due to the report of smoke at Union Stations.
By
Mark Berman
| August 18, 2010; 7:49 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Escalators back up at Tenleytown
The entrance escalators are out of service at the Tenleytown-AU Metro stop.
By
Mark Berman
| August 18, 2010; 5:31 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Headaches on the horizon
Rain is increasingly likely overnight Tuesday and the Wednesday morning commute could be messy. A flood watch has been issued. See a map with the D.C. region's major construction projects here, but I want to highlight a development at one important commuter junction in the District.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 17, 2010; 7:00 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
Save & Share:
One of Metro's founding fathers dies
One of Metro's founding fathers died last week. The Post's Timothy R. Smith chronicled the life of Cleatus E. Barnett, 83.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 17, 2010; 5:11 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Prepare for a wet a.m. commute
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the Washington area for Wednesday, saying local rain totals of three inches may be possible in some areas. The Post's Capital Weather Gang says that means Washingtonians could be in for a messy commute.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 17, 2010; 2:26 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Commuting, Driving, Traffic Safety
Save & Share:
Emergency repairs on Douglass Bridge
1:55 p.m. Update: Delays on South Capitol Street soutbound extend to M Street. Traffic is moving but sluggish. 11:45 a.m. Update: The repairs on the bridge are part of an overall repair project DDOT launched in May along with weight...
By
Michael Bolden
| August 17, 2010; 10:16 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Commuting, District
Save & Share:
JetBlue brings back 'All-You-Can-Jet'
JetBlue is bringing back its popular All-You-Can-Jet pass that allows customers to travel to an unlimited number of cities over a one-month period.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 17, 2010; 9:59 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Airlines, Airports
Save & Share:
I-395 North blocked at King St
Here's a look at the potential headaches facing you on the road today
By
Mark Berman
| August 17, 2010; 5:45 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Congestion, Driving, Maryland
Save & Share:
Potential crowding on MARC trains
Several MARC trains might be crowded this morning.
By
Mark Berman
| August 17, 2010; 5:40 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, MARC
Save & Share:
Headaches on the horizon
There's a chance travelers will encounter rain Monday night as a cool front moves through and bring in somewhat drier air. Drivers in Tysons Corner will encounter one new delay overnight as part of the Dulles Metrorail project.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 16, 2010; 7:00 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Advisories, Tysons Corner
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, Tysons Corner
Save & Share:
Board: Educate moped operators
The swarms of mopeds 
and motor scooters that roar through capitals in Europe and Asia may never appear on District streets but there are enough of them now that authorities want their riders to understand the rules.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 6:06 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
District, Traffic Safety
Save & Share:
3 MARC trains each one car short
5:50 p.m. Update: Add Train 852 on the Camden Line to the list of trains with one less car. Original post: MARC Train 534, which leaves Union Station at 5:20 p.m. and serves Penn Line commuters, will operate with one...
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 4:14 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Commuter Rail, MARC, Maryland
Save & Share:
Package at Conn. & L is cleared
3:35 p.m. Update: Metro says the entrance has reopened. Original post: Now that the suspicious package in an office building on 15th Street NW has been cleared, another has appeared at Connecticut Avenue and L Street NW. The east side...
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 2:21 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Metro, Red Line
Save & Share:
Feds consider bus safety belts
If you're riding a bus between D.C. and New York, the federal government may soon require that a lap-and-shoulder belt be installed to lessen the risk of riders bein thrown from the motorcoach in the event of a crash.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 1:25 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (8)
Categories:
Driving, Traffic Safety, Transit, Transportation Politics
Save & Share:
Teen crash survivor heads home
An Anchorage hospital has released one of the four people who survived a plane crash that killed former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and four others.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 11:15 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Aviation, Maryland, NTSB
Save & Share:
Talk back on airline regs
It seems everyone has an opinion on the stresses of flying, just as airlines find another way to nickel and dime seemingly every month, from charging for seat selection, extra leg room, blankets, pillows, beverages and meals; on top of that are proposals for more rules stemming from security threats, incidents or crashes, such as the idea of banning peanuts to prevent allergy attacks or the NTSB's recommendation that child seats should be required for babies.
By
Luke Rosiak
| August 16, 2010; 11:02 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Airlines, Airports, Aviation, NTSB
Save & Share:
Metro's weekend schedule
Here's a rundown on the weekend work that will cause delays on Metrorail for the rest of this month, but none of it will be as disruptive as the big Labor Day weekend project that will close five stations on the eastern Red Line. The Post's Ann Scott Tyson is planning a Commuter page feature explaining the project and outlining travelers' options for the long weekend. If you have a question about the upcoming Red Line work or a comment, send it to her at tysona@washpost.com.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 16, 2010; 9:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Metro
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail
Save & Share:
Jonas Bros. tour on safe texting
The Jonas Brothers are traveling the country over the next two months, but this tour isn't just about bringing their special brand of pop to fans -- although they are doing that, too. The Jonases have joined the campaign to stop distracted driving as part of the "X the TXT" campaign started by Allstate -- Jordin Sparks was in D.C. in the spring promoting it -- and they're taking their message to minor league ballparks.
By
Michael Bolden
| August 16, 2010; 9:17 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Driving, Traffic Safety
Save & Share:
Orange Line delays
An Orange Line train heading towards Vienna had some door issues a short time ago, causing delays for that and other Orange Line trains.
By
Mark Berman
| August 16, 2010; 8:43 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
MARC Penn Line delays
MARC Penn Line train 509 will run about 20 to 25 minutes late this morning due to mechanical problems.
By
Mark Berman
| August 16, 2010; 6:02 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Georgia Ave blocked in Silver Spring
Here are some of the things that could cause problems for your morning commute
By
Mark Berman
| August 16, 2010; 6:00 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Congestion, Construction, Maryland
Save & Share:
The week ahead for traffic, transit
The commute is going to get hotter and stickier over the next several days, with a chance of late thunderstorms today and Tuesday. Despite the declining traffic of the late-August vacation season, travelers still will encounter many delays, traffic shifts and lane closings in the D.C. area.
By
Robert Thomson
| August 16, 2010; 5:59 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Advisories
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead
Save & Share:
