Dr. Gridlock: January 2, 2011 - January 8, 2011
Metro adds daily escalator stats
Days after Metro announced that it had reorganized the oversight of its escalator division, there has been at least one small forward-facing change. This week, the agency tweaked its Web site's escalator outage reports page to include not just a listing of broken vertical transport, but summaries illustrating the number of total outages and their basic causes.
By
Luke Rosiak
| January 7, 2011; 4:00 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Save & Share:
Long detours for several bus routes
Roadway construction along E Street NW will cause 6-month long detours on the D3 and D6 buses, which will divert to Seventh Street, Metro said today. Starting Monday for the next year, the U8 and X9 buses will avoid work on Minnesota Avenue by taking Hunt Place to access Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave.
By
Luke Rosiak
| January 7, 2011; 3:54 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Metrobus
Save & Share:
V St. NE closed near Bladensburg
An alert by District government said there is police activity in the area of the post office. V Street NE is closed between Bladensburg Road and South Dakota Avenue NE.
By
Luke Rosiak
| January 7, 2011; 3:42 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Driving
Save & Share:
Guardian Angels step up Metro watch
The Guardian Angels will increase patrols on the Metro after the filmed attack on a passenger at the L'Enfant Plaza Station on Sunday, January 2, the group announced today.
By
Luke Rosiak
| January 7, 2011; 3:35 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (10)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
VRE set ridership record Thursday
The Virginia Railway Express set an all-time ridership record Thursday with almost 20,000 trips, VRE officials said. On Jan. 6, the commuter-rail service recorded 19,912 trips. The previous record was set on Nov. 16 with 19,540 trips. When VRE was...
By
Jennifer Buske
| January 7, 2011; 3:14 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Commuter Rail, Virginia
Save & Share:
Motorcycle show next week
If it looks like the city is being inundated by motorcycles next week, that's exactly what's happening. The International Motorcycle Show will roar into town, packing the Washington Convention Center from Jan. 14-16.
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 7, 2011; 1:15 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Transportation News
Save & Share:
Metro adjusts L'Enfant patrols
The Metro Transit Police Department has adjusted patrols at the L'Enfant Plaza Station in the wake of an attack on a man there on Sunday. Metro is also seeking help from the public in its investigation into the incident. The incident was first reported this week by the blog Unsuck DC Metro (http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com).
By
Washington Post Staff and Wire Reports
| January 7, 2011; 1:08 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (38)
Categories:
Metro, MetroAccess, Metrobus
Save & Share:
The weekend and beyond
On the first full weekend of the new year, road crews and transit workers will be busy, despite the cold weather. They won't let up in the coming work week either. Shake off that holiday lethargy and get ready to deal with the renewed energy of the crews that will be blocking lanes and closing stretches of track. Here are some highlights of what's ahead.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 7, 2011; 10:53 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Congestion, Construction, Driving, Metro, Weekend Work
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, The weekend and beyond
Save & Share:
FAA to order inspections of 757s
U.S. airlines must inspect 683 Boeing 757 planes for cracks after a hole opened on an American Airlines plane in October, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a directive to be published Monday. The hole in the 757-200 plane opened...
By
Bloomberg News
| January 7, 2011; 9:50 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Airlines, Aviation
Save & Share:
MARC delays this morning
Penn Line train 400 is running 15 to 20 minutes late departing from Washington due to mechanical problems.
By
Mark Berman
| January 7, 2011; 6:11 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Chilly commute caps off week
With some snow falling overnight, there could be ice and delays.
By
Mark Berman
| January 7, 2011; 5:45 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Airlines, Commuting
Save & Share:
Airlines anticipate snow delays
Washington may get a light snowfall overnight, promising a slippery commute Friday morning as workers make one last trek into the office this week. However, the forecast calls for heavier snowfall into the Northeast, with up to nine inches possible in some areas. A winter storm watch has been issued for an area including Manhattan, Long Island, southern Connecticut and northern New Jersey.
By
Associated Press and Staff Reports
| January 7, 2011; 1:44 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Airlines, Aviation, Weather
Save & Share:
Area prepares for icy a.m. commute
Departments of transportation are preparing for a light snow that may make the roads slick for the morning commute. The Post's Capital Weather Gang says there's a 40 percent chance of snow showers after 1 a.m., mainly north and northeast...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 7, 2011; 1:37 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Virginia, Weather
Save & Share:
D.C. area snow removal information
Share photos | Capital Weather Gang | Dr. Gridlock's snow guide Here is some information on snow removal and where you can turn for help. Keep in mind that in most jurisdictions, property owners are responsible for clearing adjacent sidewalks....
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 6, 2011; 11:14 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
District, Highways, Maryland, Virginia, Weather
Save & Share:
Man hit by Acela train in Philly
PHILADELPHIA -- A man is dead after police say he stepped into the path of a high-speed Amtrak train in Philadelphia. Police say the man, who was in his late 30s or early 40s, was hit by a southbound Acela...
By
Associated Press
| January 6, 2011; 6:28 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Amtrak
Save & Share:
Suspicious item cleared at Dulles
6:55 p.m. Update: Airports officials say that all areas of Dulles have now reopened. 6:35 p.m. Update: An airports official says the incident at Dulles has been resolved. The item was a package, not luggage, and authorities said it was...
By
Kafia A. Hosh
| January 6, 2011; 5:21 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Airports
Save & Share:
Md. packages under investigation
The FBI is assisting in the investigation into incendiary devices that went off Thursday afternoon in two Maryland state office building, according to reporter Spencer Hsu. Maryland State police spokesman Greg Shipley said two packages were mailed, one sent to the Annapolis office where mail is opened for Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and the second to the Maryland State Department of Transportation in Hanover.
By
Washington Post Staff Writers
| January 6, 2011; 2:29 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Maryland
Save & Share:
Halt inspections, riders' council says
The Metro Riders' Advisory Council voted overwhelming Wednesday night for a resolution that will ask the Metro board to suspend bag inspections and to consult with the public about transit security measures.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 6, 2011; 1:35 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (18)
Categories:
Metro, Transportation Politics
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
Traffic delays on New York Ave.
12:55 p.m. Update: WTOP is reporting that police say the incident was domestic-related. Original post: Accidents on New York Avenue, including an incident where two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle, are causing delays from North Capitol Street to New...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 6, 2011; 12:34 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Congestion, Driving
Save & Share:
Metro describes MLK weekend plan
Jim Hughes, Metro's planning director, was out at Foggy Bottom Station this morning to alert riders that the transit authority has scheduled many maintenance projects for the long Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, Jan. 14-17. The biggest impact will be at Foggy Bottom, where the station will be completely shut.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 6, 2011; 12:15 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (8)
Categories:
Metro
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
Report: Patrols to increase at L'Enfant after attack
6:40 p.m. Update: WUSA9 is reporting that Metro Transit Police plan to increase patrols at L'Enfant Plaza in the wake of an attack on a man there Sunday evening. Police urge witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 6, 2011; 10:33 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (42)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Amtrak offers long-distance sale
Amtrak is offering 20 percent off long-distance travel for trips between Jan. 18 and April 14. Passenger can books the sale fares through Jan. 24, and the sale is valid on all 15 of Amtrak's long-distance trains. The sale includes...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 6, 2011; 10:17 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Amtrak, Passenger Rail
Save & Share:
Traffic shift in Upper Marlboro
The Maryland State Highway Administration is closing the existing Old Marlboro Pike (MD 725) bridge over Federal Spring Branch in Upper Marlboro Thursday as part of a $2 million bridge replacement project. Traffic will be shifted to a detour on...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 6, 2011; 9:26 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Construction, Driving, Maryland
Save & Share:
MARC delays
Delays for MARC commuters.
By
Mark Berman
| January 6, 2011; 6:26 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Inner Loop lane blocked in VA
Check back here through the morning for updates on the headaches awaiting you durin the morning rush.
By
Mark Berman
| January 6, 2011; 5:55 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Commuting, Congestion
Save & Share:
Gray taps Downs for Metro board
Former Amtrak president Tom Downs will serve as one of the representatives on the board of the directors for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, according to sources within the Gray administration.
By
Washington Post Staff Writers
| January 5, 2011; 10:07 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (2)
Categories:
Amtrak, Metro, MetroAccess, Metrobus
Save & Share:
Coffee spill leads to hijacking alert
TORONTO -- A pilot's spilled coffee accidentally triggered a hijacking alert and caused a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, to make an unscheduled stop in Canada.
By
Associated Press
| January 5, 2011; 10:01 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Transportation News
Save & Share:
Delays ahead at Fairfax Parkway/Route 50
Avoid the area around the interchange at Route 50 and the Fairfax County Parkway this weekend, or get stuck in what's likely to be a big traffic delay. The Virginia Department of Transportation is rebuilding an older portion of the parkway in Fair Lakes, and these weekend lane closings are part of that $69.5 million project, partially funded by the federal stimulus.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 5, 2011; 9:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Congestion, Construction, Driving, Virginia, Weekend Work
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, Fairfax County Parkway
Save & Share:
VRE train delayed
VRE train 308 is running 20 minutes late arriving in Fredericksburg due to mechanical issues.
By
Mark Berman
| January 5, 2011; 6:49 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Virginia Railway Express
Save & Share:
MARC delays
MARC Camden Line train 845 is running 12 to 15 minutes late.
By
Mark Berman
| January 5, 2011; 6:46 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Chat with VRE's chief executive
VRE chief executive Dale Zehner will be hosting an online chat today with riders.
By
Mark Berman
| January 5, 2011; 6:05 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Virginia Railway Express
Save & Share:
Delays on I-395 N and I-66 E
Check back here throughout the morning for updates on headaches awaiting you on the morning commute.
By
Mark Berman
| January 5, 2011; 5:45 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Congestion
Save & Share:
Metro train operator to be retrained
Metro is investigating a case of a Yellow Line operator who allegedly had a conversation with a passenger while operating a train, an apparent violation of safety protocols. Since the June 2009 Red Line crash, Metro's trains have been manually operated for safety reasons. The video shows a person seated outside the operator's cab leaning into the cab appearing to have a conversation.
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 4, 2011; 4:00 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (8)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Midday work on the Red Line
Metro will be performing work on the Red Line tracks between the Silver Spring and Forest Glen stations weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Jan. 21 (with the exclusion of Monday, Jan. 17). Trains will be single-tracking through...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 4, 2011; 1:34 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
CDC: Seat belt use reaches 85%
ATLANTA -- Nearly six in seven U.S. adults now wear seat belts, an increase in driver safety that health officials say has helped cut motor vehicle deaths and injuries. About 85 percent of adults said they wear seat belts in...
By
Associated Press
| January 4, 2011; 12:28 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Transportation News
Save & Share:
Metro can't sell the searches
The Metro board's docility in accepting the decision by the general manager and transit police chief to inspect riders is a serious stumble on the part of the board, and can serve as a prime example of why many people think the governance of the transit authority needs an overhaul.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 4, 2011; 11:40 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (10)
Categories:
Metro, Transportation Politics
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
Potty breaks on Metro pocket tracks?
The blog Unsuck DC Metro (located at http://unsuckdcmetro.blogspot.com/) is reporting that a Metro inspector general's report (PDF) released in September detailed a problem where workers were using pocket tracks as bathrooms. The report describes a pocket track as "an area...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 4, 2011; 11:13 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (11)
Categories:
Metro, Metrobus
Save & Share:
Tommy Wells named to Metro board
The D.C. Council passed a resolution on Monday naming Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) to the Metro board of directors, according to council spokeswoman Traci Hughes. Wells is expected to replace longtime Metro board member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1). The move...
By
Ann Scott Tyson
| January 4, 2011; 10:03 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
Metro, MetroAccess, Metrobus
Save & Share:
Orange Line delays cleared
There are delays on the Red Line in both directions due to a switch malfunction outside of Rhode Island Avenue.
By
Mark Berman
| January 4, 2011; 6:28 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
Outer Loop lanes reopen
. Here are some notes on changes or headaches afoot for commuters this morning. This post will be updated throughout the morning rush hour.
By
Mark Berman
| January 4, 2011; 5:50 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Congestion
Save & Share:
MARC crowding and delays
Some MARC passengers might experience crowded conditions this morning. Brunswick Line train 892, departing Frederick at 6:05 a.m., is running one car short.
By
Mark Berman
| January 4, 2011; 5:39 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC
Save & Share:
Road closures on Mass. Ave. NW
Authorities are investigating a suspicious package delivered to the Embassy of Greece in the 2200 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW. Expect traffic delays in the area....
By
Michael Bolden
| January 3, 2011; 3:35 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Commuting, Congestion, District, Driving
Save & Share:
Night work for Dulles Metrorail
Rail project managers predict 2011 will be a very busy year, and they've already begun to prove their case on the main roads of Tysons Corner. Here are some advisories from the project about this week's work.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 3, 2011; 3:03 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Driving, Virginia
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
SoberRide sets record for holiday
SoberRide, a program that provides free taxi rides to the impaired during some holidays, recorded 967 rides on New Year's Eve. According to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, which coordinates the rides, that number eclipsed the 808 rides provided on...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 3, 2011; 2:36 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Driving, Transportation News
Save & Share:
MARC train will be 1 car short
3:49 p.m. Update: MARC Brunswick Line Train 893 (scheduled to depart Washington at 5:15 p.m.) will be one car short, according to the MTA. 2:55 p.m. Update: Amtrak 125 will pick up passengers at Odenton Station, according to the MTA....
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 3, 2011; 2:26 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
MARC, Maryland
Save & Share:
Gray names interim DDOT director
Terry Bellamy, who was deputy director of operations for the District Department of Transportation, will serve as interim director while Mayor Vincent C. Gray searches for a replacement for Gabe Klein. According to his DDOT biography, Bellamy served in Arlington's...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 3, 2011; 2:06 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (3)
Categories:
District, Transportation News
Save & Share:
Public meeting on Metro bag checks
Metro's Riders' Advisory Council (RAC) will hold a public meeting on Monday, January 3 to discuss the controversial random bag inspections that Metro police launched last month in an effort to discourage terrorist attacks on the transit system
By
Ann Scott Tyson
| January 3, 2011; 12:50 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (7)
Categories:
Metro, Metrobus
Save & Share:
Curb lane closure on H St. NE
The curb lane on the north side of H Street in Northeast Washington will close between 13th and 14th streets starting on Tuesday for the next four months. The District Department of Transportation says the closure is to accommodate underground...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 3, 2011; 12:44 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Construction, District
Save & Share:
Route 123 closings in Tysons
The northbound lanes of Route 123 are scheduled to close overnight Monday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the Dulles Connector Road as part of the work on the Metrorail extension through Tysons Corner to Loudoun County. The southbound...
By
Washington Post Editors
| January 3, 2011; 12:33 PM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Northern Virginia, Silver Line
Save & Share:
A look back, and ahead, in transportation
On the past two Sundays in The Post, I presented my take on the highest impact transportation projects of 2010 for the D.C. region, and the ones you can anticipate for 2011. During our first online discussion of the new year, you can let me know if you agree with my picks, or think I've omitted something important to your travels.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 3, 2011; 11:45 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Commuting, Construction, Driving, Metro, Transit
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:
Green and Yellow lines delays cleared
There are Red Line delays heading towards Shady Grove after an earlier train malfunction outside of Forest Glen.
By
Mark Berman
| January 3, 2011; 7:02 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Metro
Save & Share:
The week ahead in traffic, transit
We often talk about the commuting surge known as September Shock. Is there such a thing as January Shock, a mini-surge this week as many travelers go back to work after their vacations and students return to school? One shock for commuters will be the 25 cent toll increase at the main plaza on the Dulles Toll Road. Across the region, the orange cones and barrels will be back in place as road work resumes. Drivers along the New York Avenue corridor should be particularly attentive for new work. Here are some highlights.
By
Robert Thomson
| January 3, 2011; 6:00 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (1)
Categories:
Commuting, Driving, Metro
| Tags:
Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead
Save & Share:
MARC delays
MARC Penn Line train 503 is running 10 to 12 minutes behind schedule.
By
Mark Berman
| January 3, 2011; 5:31 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Commuter Rail, MARC, Maryland
Save & Share:
MD 210 blocked in Fort Washington
An accident on eastbound Central Avenue/MD 214 is blocking two lanes at I-95 as well as one of the shoulders.
By
Mark Berman
| January 3, 2011; 5:30 AM ET |
Permalink |
Comments (0)
Categories:
Advisories, Commuting, Highways
Save & Share:
