Dr. Gridlock: December 26, 2010 - January 1, 2011

2 killed as plane, helicopter collide

WEYERS CAVE, Va. -- Federal aviation officials say a small plane collided with a medical helicopter in the air in rural western Virginia, killing two people on the plane.Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said the collision occurred at about...

By Associated Press  | December 31, 2010; 5:38 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Aviation, Virginia  
Save & Share:                   

Man strips at airport checkpoint

RICHMOND -- Police say a man stripped to his underwear at a Virginia airport checkpoint in a protest against security procedures.

By Associated Press  | December 31, 2010; 12:22 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (18)
Categories:  Airports, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

New pattern on New York Ave.

The District's plan to rebuild the New York Avenue Bridge was a long time in the making, but project managers say it's ready to go now, which means a very long period of disruption for commuters.

By Robert Thomson  | December 31, 2010; 8:55 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (7)
Categories:  Commuting, Congestion, Construction, District, Driving  | Tags:  Dr. Gridlock, New York Avenue  
Save & Share:                   

Modified transit, parking for holiday

Most jurisdictions in the Washington region will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions Friday and Saturday in observance of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Here is a roundup, along with some modified transit schedules: Alexandria On Friday and Saturday...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 31, 2010; 8:27 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  District, Maryland, Northern Virginia  
Save & Share:                   

Dulles Toll Road rates to rise Sat.

Toll rates at the main plaza on the Dulles Toll Road are scheduled to increase by 25 cents on Saturday. The decision to increase the tolls was made last fall following public hearings conducted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports...

By Michael D. Bolden  | December 31, 2010; 8:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)
Categories:  Metro, Northern Virginia, Silver Line  
Save & Share:                   

SoberRide available through Sat.

The SoberRide program is offering free taxi rides home for folks celebrating New Year's Eve.

By Mark Berman  | December 31, 2010; 7:40 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Driving, Events  
Save & Share:                   

New detour at Ninth Street Bridge

The District Department of Transportation plans to close the ramp to the Ninth Street Bridge from westbound New York Avenue NE on Monday. The old bridge is going to be demolished, before construction of a new ramp.

By Robert Thomson  | December 31, 2010; 7:35 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Construction, District, Driving  | Tags:  Dr. Gridlock, New York Avenue  
Save & Share:                   

Metro to speed escalator overhaul

Metro will overhaul eight escalators over the next two months on an accelerated schedule - four at Gallery Place-Chinatown Station and four at Union Station. Metro said it will employ two shifts of workers in order to complete the work in eight weeks instead of 12, finishing by the end of February.

By Ann Scott Tyson  | December 31, 2010; 7:02 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Metro  
Save & Share:                   

Md. traffic ticket law changing

Starting Jan. 1, Maryland drivers who get ticketed will have to pick their own trial dates. Currently, drivers who get a traffic ticket have three choices: 1. Pay the full amount of the fine 2. Request a waiver hearing. (Waiver...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 31, 2010; 7:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Driving, Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

Flight to DCA diverted to Dulles

A worker checks a wing of American Airlines Flight 1068 after an emergency landing at Dulles on Dec. 30, 2010. (Mark Berman/The Post) 1:24 p.m. Update: American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Sanderson said the flight had 147 passengers and six crew...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 30, 2010; 12:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)
Categories:  Airlines, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

Virginia traffic deaths decline

Traffic fatalities in Virginia will set a record low in 2010, according to commonwealth data. As of Thursday, morning 715 traffic deaths had been reported statewide, compared to 750 in the same period last year and 1,026 in 2007, which set a record high, state officials said

By Washington Post Editors  | December 30, 2010; 12:27 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Traffic Safety, Transportation News, Virginia  
Save & Share:                   

High-speed rail panel to meet

A commission formed to advance high-speed rail initiatives in Virginia and North Carolina will hold its second meeting next week. The Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High Speed Rail Compact was authorized by Congress this year and will focus on high-speed rail initiatives including the southeast high-speed rail corridor that may eventually run between Washington and Charlotte, N.C.

By Jennifer Buske  | December 30, 2010; 12:11 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Passenger Rail, Transportation News, Virginia  
Save & Share:                   

Metro seeks SmarTrip replacement

Metro moved ahead on Wednesday with a plan to develop a new electronic fare payment system that will allow customers to use chip-enabled credit and debit cards, federal ID cards, smart phones and other methods to pay their fares.

By Ann Scott Tyson  | December 30, 2010; 12:08 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (19)
Categories:  Metro, Metrobus  
Save & Share:                   

Insurance co. tracks, rewards drivers

Slamming on the brakes? Doing 100 mph on the highway? Maybe you won't -- if your car insurance company is watching you. Allstate has launched a voluntary program that uses a device installed in a car to reward safe and...

By Becky Yerak, Chicago Tribune  | December 30, 2010; 11:25 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Driving, Transportation News  
Save & Share:                   

Metro rewards with iPads, cash

Metro gave iPads and cash to members of its finance team as rewards for completing a project this year. The news was first reported by the Washington Examiner. According to the story, six executives received iPads and two other workers...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 30, 2010; 10:45 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (8)
Categories:  Metro  
Save & Share:                   

Frederick fence to deter jaywalkers

The Maryland State Highway Administration is erecting a 6-foot fence to deter jaywalkers along a retail stretch of U.S. 40 in Frederick. Spokesman Charlie Gischlar (GISH'-lar) said Wednesday that the $98,000 project in the city's "Golden Mile" began in early...

By Associated Press  | December 30, 2010; 10:39 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

5 new subway lines in Beijing

Beijing has opened five new subway lines extending to the city's suburban areas that officials hope will help ease chronic traffic congestion.

By Associated Press  | December 30, 2010; 10:35 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Transportation News  
Save & Share:                   

Holiday for the Md. MVA

Thursday is a holiday for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and vehicle emissions inspection stations. Friday and Saturday are state holidays, but the offices are closed Thursday as part of the state's budget reduction plan....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 30, 2010; 10:20 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

Rockville Pike icy after bus fire

8:04 p.m. Update: WTOP has video of the fire. Original post: Overnight efforts to extinguish a fire in an empty bus on Rockville Pike created icy patches on the road that could be hazardous to motorists Thursday morning, WRC-TV (Channel...

By Debbi Wilgoren  | December 30, 2010; 6:33 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Commuting, Driving  
Save & Share:                   

Full MARC service on Thurs.

Maryland Area Regional Commuter trains will operate full service on Thursday, according to the Maryland Transit Administration. However, officials said that there will be no extra trains on the Penn Line or moved-up trains on the Brunswick and Camden Lines....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 29, 2010; 7:25 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Commuter Rail, MARC, Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

14th St. closed at F St.

The northbound lanes of 14th St NW are closed at F St. due to a sinkhole, DC officials say. It's slow going southbound as a result. Choose an alternate route, like 16th St.

By Luke Rosiak  | December 29, 2010; 5:56 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
 
Save & Share:                   

Engine problem delays MARC trains

5:35 p.m. Update: Train 439 from Penn Station to Union Station is canceled due to earlier mechanical problems. The MTA says passengers for BWI, New Carrollton and Union Station should take Amtrak Train 85. Passengers for other stations should take...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 29, 2010; 4:38 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  MARC, Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

VRE on modified schedule Thurs.

Virginia Railway Express will operate on a modified schedule Thursday and will not run trains on Friday in observance of the upcoming holiday. On Thursday, VRE will operate on the "S" schedule, with only four trains operating on each of...

By Jennifer Buske  | December 29, 2010; 4:31 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Northern Virginia, Virginia Railway Express  
Save & Share:                   

Travel returning to normal

Travel along the East Coast gradually appears to be returning to normal. There are no reported flight delays at any of the major airports; Amtrak has resumed its normal schedule; and the intercity buses that run between New York and Washington are on the road again.

By Washington Post Wire and Staff Reports  | December 29, 2010; 10:58 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Airlines, Amtrak, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

Metro option for VRE riders

8:55 p.m. Update: Current delays reported by VRE: Manassas Train No. 330 is 53 minutes late. Manassas Train No. 332 is 31 minutes late. 8:35 p.m. Update: Manassas 330 is moving. Manassas 332 is 10 minutes behind, according to VRE....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 29, 2010; 8:13 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Metro, Virginia Railway Express  
Save & Share:                   

Amtrak to resume normal service

An Acela train at Princeton Junction station in New Jersey Tuesday. (Mel Evans/Associated Press) 6:23 p.m. Update: Amtrak plans to resume normal service on its Northeast Corridor route between Boston, New York and Washington on Wednesday. However, the rail agency...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 6:27 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Amtrak  
Save & Share:                   

C Street NE closed

C Street in Northeast Washington is closed between 3rd and 4th Streets due to a water main repair. North Carolina and Constitution are alternates....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 5:48 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  District, Driving  
Save & Share:                   

Serious delays at NE airports

6:45 p.m. Update: The latest delays: Newark, 4 hours, 15 minutes; JFK, 6 hours, 51 minutes. 5 p.m. Update: JetBlue is canceling all of its flights at JFK after 8 p.m. The airline said on its Web site "that field...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 4:17 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Airports, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

Train inspection at Foggy Bottom

By Michael D. Bolden  | December 28, 2010; 4:07 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  Metro  
Save & Share:                   

A late ride for MARC riders

3:45 p.m. Update: The MTA says the train departed 35 minutes late. Original post: Amtrak Train 148, used by some MARC Penn Line riders who hold weekly and monthly passes, will be 30 to 45 minutes leaving Union Station, according...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 3:13 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Amtrak, MARC  
Save & Share:                   

Travelers stuck on JFK tarmac

NEW YORK -- Passengers on three flights arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport have spent hours on the tarmac waiting to disembark.

By Associated Press and Staff Reports  | December 28, 2010; 2:09 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Transportation News, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Snowed in? Ask @CoryBooker for help.

Post staff writer Nikita Stewart reports that she's been following Newark Mayor Cory Booker on Twitter (@CoryBooker). Booker has become a hero to some for his up-to-the-minute tweets and quick response with a shovel. One user even tweeted that he...

By Michael Bolden  | December 28, 2010; 1:54 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)
Categories:  Transportation News  
Save & Share:                   

Delays at Delaware toll plaza

The Delaware Department of Transportation says there is a five-minute delay in both directions at the Newark Toll Plaza. However, there are delays from Route 545 in Maryland....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 1:28 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Driving  
Save & Share:                   

Wind blamed for derailment in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A derailed freight train in central Pennsylvania temporarily interrupted Amtrak service between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, but riders are back on track. Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said crews cleared the disabled train Tuesday morning from tracks near Harrisburg.

By Associated Press  | December 28, 2010; 1:05 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Amtrak, Transportation News  
Save & Share:                   

Planes bump at St. Louis airport

ST. LOUIS -- Inspectors are examining two US Airways planes that bumped each other on a runway while preparing to de-ice at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. Lambert director Rhonda Hamm-Niebrugge (Hahm-noo-bray-gee) says the minor collision happened Tuesday morning. No...

By Associated Press  | December 28, 2010; 11:27 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Airlines, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

Chaos, fights in Moscow airports

Thousands of flights were canceled in the U.S. due to the recent snowstorm, with stranded passengers in many airports, but nowhere did the situation disintegrate into what happened in Russia this week. Irate holidaymakers beat up Aeroflot staff at a...

By Alissa de Carbonnel, Reuters  | December 28, 2010; 9:09 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)
Categories:  Airlines, Aviation  
Save & Share:                   

How's your cell service on Metro?

Did you get a new iPhone for Christmas? Are you trying out a Droid Incredible you landed for the holiday? Tell us about your experiences on our cellphone service map. A team of companies -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 9:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Metro  
Save & Share:                   

Share your commuting stories

Some of the streets and trains seem almost empty this time of year, as some residents take time for vacation. Others are still stuck elsewhere, waiting for a plane or train to bring them home. If you're working, how has...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 28, 2010; 8:13 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Driving, Metro, Metrobus  
Save & Share:                   

Metro to split Blue, Orange lines

Metro will shut down Foggy Bottom Station during the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. three-day weekend to replace equipment and perform other needed work in the rail system.

By Michael D. Bolden  | December 28, 2010; 8:04 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Metro, MetroAccess, Metrobus  
Save & Share:                   

VRE limited Thurs., not running Fri.

As another holiday weekend arrives, VRE trains will be running an "S schedule" Thursday. There will be no VRE service Friday, due to the New Year's Eve holiday.

By Mark Berman  | December 28, 2010; 5:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Virginia Railway Express  
Save & Share:                   

The week ahead in traffic, transit

This may be the quietest week of the year on the roads and rails, with schools closed and so many people either staying put at home or still of on a holiday break. "Weather permitting" will be the governing phrase concerning a lot of this week's road construction plans.Then on Thursday, the orange cones will get pulled up while workers and travelers share a break for the New Year's weekend.

By Robert Thomson  | December 27, 2010; 6:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Commuting, Congestion, Construction, Driving, Metro  | Tags:  Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead  
Save & Share:                   

Intercity bus services to resume

Share photos | Capital Weather Gang | Dr. Gridlock's snow guide 4:58 p.m. Update: Washington Deluxe says its bus services have resumed. 1:40 p.m. Update: BoltBus says it plans to resume normal service on Tuesday. 1:05 p.m. Update: DC2NY says...

By Michael D. Bolden  | December 27, 2010; 5:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (7)
Categories:  Driving, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Feds speed up Silver Line funding

The Federal Transit Administration announced Monday it is speeding up its payments for construction of Metrorail's new service to Northern Virginia, in an attempt to reduce costs and provide financial investment in the region.

By Derek Kravitz  | December 27, 2010; 3:30 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Metro, Northern Virginia, Silver Line  
Save & Share:                   

Flying? Check with your airline.

Travelers heading to or departing from airports in the Washington region are being urged to check with their airline to see if winter weather will affect their flights. Most airlines were issuing travel waivers for locations affected by adverse weather, including the East Coast, Atlanta and Europe.

By Wire and Staff Reports  | December 27, 2010; 12:50 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)
Categories:  Advisories, Airlines, Aviation, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Several I-495 lanes to close overnight

Overnight construction will close parts of the Beltway in Virginia as part of the I-495 HOT lanes project, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The closures will begin the night of Monday, Dec. 27, and last through the morning of Thursday, Dec. 30. All of the closures will take place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night from 9:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.

By Mark Berman  | December 27, 2010; 12:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Construction, District, Virginia  
Save & Share:                   

Windy conditions causing problems

6:50 p.m. Update: An object has been reported on the outer loop at Interstate 270. Pepco is reporting 179 customers without power; BGE 132; Dominion 187. 5:12 p.m. Update: Pepco is reporting 1,103 households without power; BGE 489; Dominion 235....

By Washington Post Editors  | December 27, 2010; 11:17 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Driving, MARC, Metro, Metrobus, Virginia Railway Express  
Save & Share:                   

Glenmont Metro gets new garage

Construction will begin next Monday and continue for about a year on a second six-story parking garage at Glenmont station. The garage will be across Georgia Avenue from the station, and the kiss-and-ride on that side of the street will close Monday.

By Luke Rosiak  | December 27, 2010; 10:46 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Maryland, Metro, Red Line  
Save & Share:                   

NYC riders stuck on subway

stranded subway, snow metro

By Associated Press  | December 27, 2010; 10:41 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
 
Save & Share:                   

New York Amtrak delays affecting Washington

The winter storm headed for the East Coast has prompted Amtrak to cancel some trains on its Northeast Regional Service south of Washington into Monday. Additional service adjustments may become necessary as conditions deteriorate so check with Amtrak for the latest on your train by visiting the passenger rail service's Web site or calling 800.USA.RAIL (800.872.7245)

By Washington Post Editors  | December 27, 2010; 9:50 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (6)
Categories:  Advisories, Amtrak, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Train cancellations affect MARC

7:04 a.m. Update: Amtrak Train Nos. 151 (6:50 a.m. at Perryville) and 181 (8:36 a.m. at Aberdeen) have been canceled due to heavy snow, according to the MTA. The next train will be Marc Train 521 scheduled to depart Perryville...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 27, 2010; 7:27 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  MARC, Maryland  
Save & Share:                   

Report power outages, road issues

Share photos | Capital Weather Gang | Dr. Gridlock's snow guide [This post has been updated] A wind advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service says gusts of up to 50 mph...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 27, 2010; 5:21 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Advisories, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Windy, icy commute ahead

Share photos | Capital Weather Gang | Dr. Gridlock's snow guide 10:20 p.m. Update: A wind advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service says gusts of up to 50 mph are possible,...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 26, 2010; 10:00 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (2)
Categories:  Driving, MARC, Maryland, Metro, Metrobus, Virginia Railway Express, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

Site offers I-95 travel planning

Share photos | Capital Weather Gang | Dr. Gridlock's snow guide There's a grim forecast ahead for travelers on the East Coast heading home after the Christmas holiday, but a partnership of transportation-related agencies and organizations has created a real-time...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 26, 2010; 6:25 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Driving, Weather  
Save & Share:                   

D.C.: Create shoveling teams

District officials recently urged residents to organize teams to clear sidewalks of snow. The city requires both residential and commercial property owners to clear the sidewalks around their property within 24 hours after a snowfall. "Anyone who endured last winter...

By Washington Post Editors  | December 26, 2010; 6:08 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Advisories, District, Weather  
Save & Share: