Get There - The D.C. area traffic and transportation blog - September 20, 2009

D.C. Drills and Festivals Could Disrupt Traffic

Here are some additions from the District Department of Transportation to our big list of weekend traffic issues. Emergency Preparedness Drills Emergency preparedness exercises are underway until 3 p.m. today (Saturday) in these areas: 19th and I streets NW, 12th and F streets NW, and 4th and D streets SW. D.C. and federal emergency workers will conduct preparedness drills at several locations through the weekend. There's no advance list of times and locations. Officials say they'll put out the word whenever the drills are under way. Oktoberfest - Barracks Row These streets will be closed until 6 p.m. today (Saturday): -- 8th Street SE between E and I (Eye) streets -- G Street SE between 7th and 9th streets Chinese Culture Festival H Street NW, between 6th and 7th streets will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Sunday. Fiesta DC 2009 These streets will be closed from...

By Robert Thomson | September 26, 2009; 10:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Construction , Events , Weekend Work | Tags: District Department of Transportation, Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Must to Avoid: Capital Beltway at Tysons Tonight

All lanes of the Capital Beltway at Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) will be shut several times between midnight tonight and 5 a.m. for up to half an hour each time. The closure includes the Beltway ramps to and from Chain Bridge Road. Starting at 10:30 p.m., the two left lanes on either side of the Beltway will be closed in that area. This map shows the area of the lane closings. While the lanes are closed, Dominion Virginia Power will be working to relocate overhead power lines for the Dulles Metrorail project. Also overnight: The left lane of the westbound Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) between the Idylwood and Magarity Road overpasses approaching Route 123 will be closed from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday for construction related to the Dulles Metrorail project....

By Robert Thomson | September 25, 2009; 8:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Construction , Driving | Tags: Capital Beltway, Dr. Gridlock, Dulles Rail, Tysons
Save & Share:

Delays Occurring on the Blue and Yellow Lines

UPDATE (11:36 a.m.): Residual delays continue on the Blue and Yellow lines. Metro spokeswoman Cathy Asato said that a train's brakes malfunctioned at 10:51 a.m., forcing officials to offload one train at the Pentagon station. Normal traffic resumed at 11 a.m., she said. A witness at the scene said passengers on the offloaded train needed to wait about 15 minutes. Then a Blue Line train ran on the lower level, but the witness said no one announced it was leaving so hundreds of people were stranded until the next train came. ORIGINAL (11:24 a.m.): Metro reports delays on the Blue and Yellow lines due to an earier problem at Pentagon Station. The transit agency says passengers should expect longer wait times for trains traveling in both directions....

By Michael Bolden | September 25, 2009; 11:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Blue Line, Yellow Line
Save & Share:

The Weekend and Beyond

There's plenty going on during this first weekend of fall and a lot to look forward to in the coming week. Use these suggestions in making your travel plans. Beltway Closing in Tysons Avoid the Beltway in Tysons late tonight into Saturday morning. The Beltway will close in both directions for short times between midnight and 5 a.m. to relocate overhead power lines. This is part of the Dulles Rail project. More details here. Festival on Mall The National Book Festival will draw plenty of drivers, bikers and pedestrians to the National Mall from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Here's a map showing the layout. The Smithsonian Station on the Blue and Orange lines is the closest Metrorail stop, but note that there will be weekend delays on the Orange Line between Cheverly and Stadium-Armory. Big Weekend at Bay Bridge It will be busy on the Eastern Shore roads...

By Robert Thomson | September 25, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Construction , Events | Tags: Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Switch Malfunction Causes Orange Line Delays

Metro reports that trains are traveling at reduced speeds between West Falls Church-VT/UVA and Vienna/Fairfax-GMU stations due to a switch malfunction outside of Vienna/Fairfax-GMU. The transit agency warns that riders should expect delays to New Carrollton....

By Michael Bolden | September 25, 2009; 10:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting | Tags: Metro delays, Orange Line
Save & Share:

Watch for Upcoming Night Work on I-95

Early morning Monday, the Maryland State Highway Administration will temporarily close all lanes of I-95 between Route 198 and Route 212 for 15-minute intervals. The closings will repeat periodically through the spring as the state builds three bridges over I-95 for the Intercounty Connector. These 15-minute closings will occur between midnight and 4:30 a.m. on northbound I-95 and between midnight and 3:30 a.m. on the southbound side. Each night, there could be up to four closings. In addition to the complete shutdowns, the project may also close one or two lanes of I-95 between exit 33 and exit 29 Sunday nights through Friday mornings.On the northbound side, that would be from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. On the southbound side, it would be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. While these bridges are being built, workers also will be demolishing and rebuilding the Old Gunpowder Road Bridge over the Interstate....

By Robert Thomson | September 25, 2009; 9:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Construction , Driving | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, I-95, Intercounty Connector
Save & Share:

Normal Orange Line Service Resumes

UPDATED 9 a.m.: Metro reports that the delays on the Orange Line have been cleared. Metro reports that Orange Line riders should expect delays in both directions due to an earlier disruption at Ballston Station that has been resolved....

By Michael Bolden | September 25, 2009; 8:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion | Tags: Orange Line
Save & Share:

Today's Read: Metro Renews Catoe Contract

The Metro board Thursday approved a contract extension of General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. on a 5-1 vote. The dissenting vote was cast by D.C. City Administrator Neil Albert, the representative of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty on the board. (Lena H. Sun and James Hohmann) Metro fired the bus driver who struck and critically injured a 30-year-old jogger north of Dupont Circle after an investigation into the Sept. 3 accident found that she acted improperly, the transit agency said Thursday. (James Hohmann)...

By Robert Thomson | September 25, 2009; 7:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Metro , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, John B. Catoe Jr., Metrobus, Today's Read
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Prayer Vigil at Capitol Today

A prayer vigil scheduled for today on the west front of the Capitol may cause traffic disruptions throughout the day, according to an alert from the District Department of Transportation. Drivers should expect minor delays. The Darul-Islam Elizabeth Inc. prayer meeting could draw at least 10,000 people during the day. The transportation department does not expect streets to be blocked off for the event, but does say that heavy pedestrian traffic may lead to temporary closings along these streets: -- Maryland Avenue from 1st to 3rd streets SW -- Pennsylvania Avenue from 1st to 3rd streets NW --1st Street between Independence and Constitution avenues...

By Robert Thomson | September 25, 2009; 6:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion , Driving , Events | Tags: Capitol, District Department of Transportation, Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Getaway: Leave Early For Eastern Shore

It will be busy on the roads out there this weekend, with Sunfest at Ocean City and NASCAR races at Dover Speedway. These are the best bet travel times for the Bay Bridge: -- Friday before noon and after 10 p.m. -- Saturday before 7 a.m. and between 5 and 10 p.m. -- Sunday between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. and after 7 p.m. Call 877-BAYSPAN (877-229-7726) for the latest traffic conditions on the bridge or use this link to view live traffic cameras....

By Robert Thomson | September 24, 2009; 8:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Driving , Events , Getaway | Tags: Bay Bridge, Dr. Gridlock, Eastern Shore
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Red Line Delays Due to Earlier Disruption at Union Station, Judiciary Square

UPDATE (6:25 p.m.): The disruption on the Red Line has cleared, Metro said. UPDATE (5:52 p.m.): Metro spokeswoman Angela Gates said that a six-car train experienced a brake malfunction and was taken out of service at Union Station just before 5:30 p.m. Several trains were offloaded and turned back at various places on the Red Line to help minimize delays, she said. The malfunctioning train is headed to Brentwood Rail Yard. It is still out of service, but crews got it moving along the tracks. As a result of the stopped train, there are continuing delays in both directions. The incident is now cleared, but residual delays from trains backed up behind the disabled train are continuing along the Red Line. "It shouldn't be too long," Gates said. ORIGINAL POST (5:46 p.m.): Metro is reporting that earlier disruptions at both Union Station and Judiciary Square are causing delays through the...

By washingtonpost.com editors | September 24, 2009; 5:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion , Metro
Save & Share:

Metro Board Approves Contract To Fix Doors on Oldest Rail Cars

Metro's board approved a $638,000 contract on Thursday to repair malfunctioning electronic hardware on every door of one-quarter of its rail cars. Assistant General Manager Dave J. Kubicek, who runs rail operations, said the overall project will take a little longer than a year, but he said that would be enough time to install the hardware fix and modify it. He said the agency is also modifying the rest of its fleet to prevent doors from opening on the wrong side. Since April 2008, Metro train operators have manually opened and closed train doors at every stop. The decision to put humans in control came after a malfunction in the automatic train control system caused doors to open on the wrong side four times in 100 days. "This is going to be installed to prevent that," Kubicek said. The 1000 series cars, more than 30 years old, are the oldest...

By James Hohmann | September 24, 2009; 2:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: Metro, Series 1000
Save & Share:

Poll: What's Your Biggest Concern Regarding Metro?

This year has been a busy and tragic year for Metro. We want to hear your concerns. Sound off on the poll below and in the comments regarding your largest concerns as a Metro rider....

By washingtonpost.com editors | September 24, 2009; 12:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion , Metro , Safety
Save & Share:

Metro Board Votes to Extend Catoe's Contract

Metro's board of directors voted Thursday afternoon to extend General Manager John B. Catoe Jr.'s contract for three years. After going into a closed executive session to discuss Catoe's future for more than an hour, the members of the board voted 5 to 1 in favor of the extension. Catoe will continue to receive his current salary of $315,000 per year. In addition, he will now receive a annual $6,000 executive medical and wellness allowance. When he retires, he will receive $27,000 a year from an annuity for the rest of his life. The 62-year-old career transportation official is facing a litany of challenges, the greatest of his career. Catoe has been the face of the beleaguered transit agency during its recent trials, from safety concerns raised in the wake of the June 22 Red Line crash to a massive budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year to four worker...

By James Hohmann | September 24, 2009; 10:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: john catoe, metro
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Incident Blocks 7th Street Northwest

Seventh Street NW is blocked between H and I streets. Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 24, 2009; 10:44 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Orange Line Work This Weekend Between Cheverly and Stadium-Armory

Metro warns Orange Line riders that they should allow an additional 30 minutes this weekend if traveling between the Cheverly and Stadium-Armory stations. Crews will replace crossties and work on the aerial structure outside Stadium-Armory. Trains will share a single track from 9:30 p.m. Friday until normal service resumes Monday morning....

By James Hohmann | September 24, 2009; 9:46 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: Metro, track work
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Heavy Delays on Eastbound I-66

Expect delays on eastbound I-66 between Route 29 and the Beltway after two separate accidents -- one before Route 29 in Centreville and another after Route 7100 in Fair Oaks. A good alternate course is Route 50 from Chantilly to Fair Oaks. Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 24, 2009; 8:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Massachusetts Ave. Closed in NW by Suspicious Package

Massachusetts Ave. NW is closed between 24th St. and California St. as police investigate a suspicious package in the area....

By Washington Post Editors | September 24, 2009; 7:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Commuting
Save & Share:

Today's Read: Metro Chief Faces Challenge

The Metro board is likely to discuss the contract of General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. at its regular meeting today, Lena H. Sun writes in today's Post. He has solid support, but after months of turmoil in the rail system, some angry riders are calling for his resignation. Columnist Robert McCartney shares his experiences with Car-Free Day. Metro transit police officers have arrested more than 260 juveniles this year on offenses including robberies and assaults. (Yamiche Alcindor) Chevy Chase will wait two years, or until more detailed design work is finished, before deciding whether to file a lawsuit against the Purple Line transitway project. (Katherine Shaver) Drivers using the Intercounty Connector could pay toll rates of up to 35 cents per mile during peak commuting times. (Katherine Shaver)...

By Robert Thomson | September 24, 2009; 6:53 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro , Transportation Politics , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Today's Read
Save & Share:

I-95 Delays in Virginia Tonight, Thursday

Overnight delays are likely to result from lane closings that are part of the I-95 widening project in Fairfax and Prince William counties. Tonight Workers will be replacing an overhead sign between Route 1 and Lorton Road. The HOV lanes will close at 10 p.m. Two of three regular travel lanes in both directions of I-95 will close at 10:30 p.m. Expect 45 minute delays. All lanes of I-95 north will close for up to half an hour two times during the early morning hours. The right lane of I-95 south will remain open all night. Route 1 is an alternative, but trucks over 13 feet, 4 inches may not use Route 1 because of a bridge they will encounter. Long distance traffic could use Route 301 as alternative. HOV lanes northbound will reopen by 4 a.m. The rest of the lanes will open at 5 a.m. Thursday Several lanes...

By Robert Thomson | September 23, 2009; 8:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Construction | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, I-95 widening
Save & Share:

Metro Announces Some Bus Schedule and Route Changes

Metro announced some minor alterations in its bus schedule, effective this Sunday. On the Richmond Highway Express, Metro said buses will not longer stop at Gunston Road and 5th St. in Fort Belvoir. The agency cited unspecified "safety reasons." The 24P Ballston-Pentagon Line T route will be managed by Arlington Transit (ART) during the week. ART will run it as Route 42. Routes or scheduled stop times will also change slightly for these four lines: A12 Martin Luther King Jr. Highway Line 15K and L Chain Bridge Road Line 15M George Mason University - Tysons Corner Line 21A Landmark - Pentagon Line...

By James Hohmann | September 23, 2009; 12:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Metro , transit | Tags: Metro bus schedule shifts
Save & Share:

Maryland Outlines Toll Plan for ICC

The Maryland Transportation Authority, the agency that sets tolls on the state's bridges and highways, proposed a toll plan this morning for the Intercounty Connector, which is scheduled to open its first segment in Montgomery County late next year: The mileage rate ranges for two-axle vehicles would vary from 25 cents to 35 cents per mile during peak periods (6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.) on weekdays and from 20 cents to 30 cents per mile during off-peak periods. Once the 60-day public comment period on this is done on Nov. 23, and the toll range is given final approval on Dec. 17, the actual toll rates will be set by the authority's executive secretary. Toll rates can be adjusted within the approved range to manage congestion, the authority said. The toll system on the 18.8 mile highway will be cashless. There will be no toll plazas....

By Robert Thomson | September 23, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (41)
Categories: Construction , Driving , highways | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Intercounty Connector, Maryland Transportation Authority, tolls
Save & Share:

Heavy Weekend Traffic Likely at Bay Bridge

This will be the weekend for Sunfest in Ocean City and NASCAR races at Dover Speedway in Delaware. So the Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates the state's toll bridges, is advising drivers to expect lots of company on the Bay Bridge from Thursday through Sunday. The authority says it will monitor traffic conditions throughout the weekend and if the weather conditions permit, allow two-way traffic on the westbound span to help alleviate potential eastbound delays. When traveling west on the bridge, slow down for steel plates and use caution during two-way operations. Turn on your headlights. During normal operations, the speed limit on the westbound span is 45 mph. During two-way operations, the speed limit is 40. You can call 877-BAYSPAN (877-229-7726) for the latest traffic conditions on the bridge or use this link to view live traffic cameras at the bridge. There's also statewide traffic information here. These are...

By Robert Thomson | September 23, 2009; 9:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Congestion , Driving , Events , Getaway | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, NASCAR, Ocean city, Sunfest
Save & Share:

Today's Read: Metro Safety, Transportation Politics, Taxis

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued urgent safety warnings about track circuits to Metro and the federal agencies that monitor rail safety, Lena H. Sun and James Hohmann write in today's Post. The warnings are part of the investigation into the June 22 Red Line crash. Meanwhile, Hohmann writes that the Metro board on Thursday is likely to approve a contract to repair all the doors on the 1000 Series rail car. These cars, the oldest, make up about a quarter of Metro's fleet. Since April 2008, Metro train operators have manually opened and closed the doors after four incidents in which the doors opened on the wrong side of trains. Construction of new 11th Street bridges could get started next month following D.C. Council approval of a plan for the federal government to transfer some of the needed property to the District, Tim Craig writes. And on the...

By Robert Thomson | September 23, 2009; 7:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Today's Read
Save & Share:

Commuter Alert: Eastbound Rt. 50 Closed at Meade Street

According to Arlington officials, eastbound Route 50 is closed at Meade Street, near the George Washington Parkway. The ramp from Meade Street to eastbound 50 is closed. Closures are expected to last a few hours....

By washingtonpost.com Editor | September 22, 2009; 8:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

Save & Share:

NTSB Issues New Safety Advisory to Metro

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued nine new safety recommendations to Metro and its circuit manufacturer as part of its investigation into the June 22 crash on the Red Line. The recommendations address concerns about the safety of train control systems, such as Metro's, that use audio frequencies to detect and report the presence in trains. The NTSB considers six of the recommendations urgent. In its statement today, the NTSB again notes that it has not determined the cause of the crash. But it says that during the investigation, investigators discovered that a failure occurred in which a false signal generated by a track circuit module transmitter mimicked a valid signal and bypassed the rails via an unintended path. As a result, the stopped train was not detected in the track circuit where the following train crashed into it. The NTSB wants Metro and Alstom Signaling Inc., the manufacturer...

By Robert Thomson | September 22, 2009; 4:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Metro , Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail, Red Line crash
Save & Share:

Metro Says No Specific Threat Against D.C. Transit

Metro says transit police officers are continuing high-visibility inspections in Metrorail stations, on trains and on Metrobuses. They've been doing that since the week of Sept. 11, as they usually do. But there has not been an additional elevation of security following the arrest of a terror suspect in Colorado, as described in this story. Transit police have not implemented the program under which they would randomly search passenger's bags as they enter the stations. "Our system is as safe as an open system can be. There are several actions we take that are known or visible to the public such as patrols, cameras in stations and chemical and biological detection devices," Dave Webb, Deputy Chief of the transit police homeland security unit, said in a statement this afternoon. "There are also some actions that we take that are not visible to the public and they are designed to be...

By Robert Thomson | September 22, 2009; 3:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro , Safety , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock
Save & Share:

Metrobus Making Some Schedule Changes

In a previous posting, I noted some changes coming up Oct. 4 in the D.C. Circulator bus routes. But Metrobus also is making changes in Maryland and Virginia. They take effect this coming Sunday, Sept. 27. There's one change in Maryland, and more in Virginia....

By Robert Thomson | September 22, 2009; 11:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock. Metrobus
Save & Share:

Today's Read: Metro Funding Bill Passes Congress

Now the transportation bill that includes the funding needs to get through a conference committee to work out differences in the House and Senate versions before going to President Obama. The $122 billion transportation bill includes $150 million for the first year of the decade-long Metro funding program, which must be matched by the regional jurisdictions that back the transit authority, Lena H. Sun writes in today's Post....

By Robert Thomson | September 22, 2009; 9:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics , transit | Tags: Congress oversight, Dr. Gridlock, Metro funding, Today's Read
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Northbound I-395 Slow From Beltway

Update, 7:52 a.m.: The accident has been cleared, but traffic on northbound I-395 is slow from the Beltway. Original post, 7:29 a.m.: Watch for delays on northbound I-395 around the 6th Street exit after an accident with injuries. Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 22, 2009; 7:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Changes Coming in D.C. Circulator Routes

I focused my Sunday column on the elimination of the Wisconsin Avenue leg of the Georgetown-Union Station route of the District's Circulator bus, but that's only part of the story. The District is adjusting other Circulator routes as well, starting Oct. 4. This is basically a money-saving move in tough financial times, so there isn't much good news for riders, though there are a couple of enhancements. The biggest change is the cutback on what's known as the Whitehaven extension. Here are some more details from the District Department of Transportation. Union Station-Georgetown Route Service will be discontinued on Wisconsin Avenue NW north of M Street. The new routing in Georgetown will be Washington Circle to K Street NW, right on Wisconsin Avenue, right on M Street, right on Pennsylvania Avenue, returning to Washington Circle and downtown. The Circulator won't stop here: -- Whitehaven Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue --...

By Robert Thomson | September 22, 2009; 6:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: transit | Tags: Circulator, Dr. Gridlock, bus service changes
Save & Share:

Cyclists Can Sign Up to Use D.C. Bike Station

The long-awaited Bicycle center on the west side of Union Station is scheduled to open early next month, and bikers can register now, for a fee, to use it. Here's a link to the Bikestation sign-up page. This is operated by the Bikestation network, which has been operating bike parking centers in urban areas on the West Coast. Memberships and round the clock access will cost $30 a month, or $96 a year, plus a $20 annual administrative fee. You'll get a membership card in the mail. The center's design is very modern and sleek. Travelers who haven't been watching the construction of the steel and glass building during the past year might think the space ship from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" took a wrong turn at the Mall and parked next to the train station. In addition to secure parking for about 130 bicycles, the Bikestation also...

By Robert Thomson | September 21, 2009; 5:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Biking | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Union Station bike transit center, cycling
Save & Share:

Eastbound Dulles Toll Road Delays Expected

Drivers using the eastbound Dulles Toll Road may experience delays beginning Tuesday. The eastbound right lane between Beulah and Trap roads, just west of Wolf Trap Farm Park, will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily for four to five days. Crews will be installing barriers near the site of future storm water detention ponds to be built in that area for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. -- Ashley Halsey III...

By Washington Post Editors | September 21, 2009; 12:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion , Construction , Driving | Tags: Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, Dulles Toll Road
Save & Share:

Roadwork Closes Kenyon Street Between 13th and 14th Streets NW

The 1300 block of Kenyon Street between 13th and 14th streets NW will be closed for the first few days of this week as the District Department of Transportation continues the Columbia Heights Streetscape Project. DDOT anticipates paving of the block will be finished by late Wednesday unless there is a rain delay. Traffic will be detoured to Park Road, or drivers can use Columbia Road. -- Ashley Halsey III...

By Washington Post Editors | September 21, 2009; 11:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Construction , Driving
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Massachusetts Ave. Blocked in Dupont

Expect traffic around Massachusetts Avenue and 18th Street NW after a vehicle accident. Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 21, 2009; 10:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Today's Read: Residents Brace For ICC Opening

The Intercounty Connector in Montgomery and Prince George's counties won't open all at once. The toll highway, which is being built from west to east, will open its first segment next year. In today's Post, Katherine Shaver writes about the concerns in some neighborhoods about the traffic that will flow onto their roads as a result. I'll be online today at noon to discuss all of our regional concerns about traffic and transit, whether it's about the ICC or I-66 or the Red Line. Use this link to submit a question or comment about any local transportation topic in advance. And here's the link to join the conversation at noon....

By Robert Thomson | September 21, 2009; 10:31 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion , Construction , Driving | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Intercounty Connector
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: Accident Near Walter Reed Hospital

Expect congestion around 16th Street NW and Aspen Street NW after a serious vehicle accident. Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 21, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Checking Out I-66 Chokepoint at Capital Beltway

Traffic from eastbound Interstate 66 heads into new merge for Beltway. (Thomson) Consider me your traffic-checking version of a hurricane hunter. I head right into the eye of the storm. At 8:35 a.m., I emerged from the new merge from Interstate 66 onto the inner loop of the Beltway. I wanted to see the effect of the restriping work the Virginia Department of Transportation did over the weekend to ease the traffic congestion that resulted last week when the HOV and regular-traffic merge into the Beltway were combined. Now, this zone of I-66 is never easy. The highway is narrowing, drivers are exiting to reach Tysons or to head north toward the Legion Bridge, or they're bailing out because they don't meet the HOV rules to continue on I-66 inside the Beltway. So there's almost always congestion here. The HOV drivers have a left-hand exit from I-66 while the...

By Robert Thomson | September 21, 2009; 9:56 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion , Construction , Driving | Tags: Beltway, Dr. Gridlock, Interstate 66
Save & Share:

Traffic Alert: EB Washington Blvd. Shut in Arlington

Update, 11:25 a.m.: One lane is now getting by in both directions. Original post, 9:50 a.m.: Eastbound Washington Boulevard is closed between North Quincy and North Lincoln streets after a vehicle struck a utility pole, bringing down transformers. Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var so = new SWFObject('http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/interactives/mashupTool/mashupTool.swf', 'mashupTool', '454', '236', '9', '#ffffff'); so.addParam('wmode','transparent'); so.addVariable('mapReference', 'l'); so.addVariable('mapColWidth', '454'); so.addVariable('mapSpacerGap', '5'); so.addVariable('mapHasNeatline', 'true'); so.addVariable('linkLocatorDetail', 'true'); so.addVariable('orientation', 'column'); so.addVariable('map1depth', '216'); so.addVariable('map1width', '454'); so.addVariable('map1centerLat', '38.8872285'); so.addVariable('map1centerLong', '-77.0921704'); so.addVariable('map1zoom', '12'); so.addVariable('map1mapType', 'map'); so.addVariable('map1canPanZoom', 'true'); so.addVariable('map1hasPointer', 'true'); so.addVariable('map1pointerLat', '38.886193'); so.addVariable('map1pointerLong', '-77.1060073'); so.addVariable('map1pointerIconSymbol', 'circledx'); so.addVariable('map1pointerText', 'Accident vicinity'); so.addVariable('map1pointerOffsetX', '24'); so.addVariable('map1pointerOffsetY', '-24'); so.addVariable('map2enabled', 'false'); so.addVariable('jump', getQueryParamValue('jump')); so.write('map_2009821958160'); Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 21, 2009; 9:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

Route 50 Accident in Chantilly Cleared

Update, 10:21 a.m.: This accident appears to be cleared. Original post, 8:35 a.m.: A vehicle accident has blocked traffic on eastbound Route 50 after Pleasant Valley Road. Delays begin from Loudoun County Parkway. All westbound lanes remain open. Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. var so = new SWFObject('http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/interactives/mashupTool/mashupTool.swf', 'mashupTool', '454', '236', '9', '#ffffff'); so.addParam('wmode','transparent'); so.addVariable('mapReference', 'l'); so.addVariable('mapColWidth', '454'); so.addVariable('mapSpacerGap', '5'); so.addVariable('mapHasNeatline', 'true'); so.addVariable('linkLocatorDetail', 'true'); so.addVariable('orientation', 'column'); so.addVariable('map1depth', '216'); so.addVariable('map1width', '454'); so.addVariable('map1centerLat', '38.9090636'); so.addVariable('map1centerLong', '-77.4705132'); so.addVariable('map1zoom', '9'); so.addVariable('map1mapType', 'map'); so.addVariable('map1canPanZoom', 'true'); so.addVariable('map1hasPointer', 'true'); so.addVariable('map1pointerLat', '38.9100655'); so.addVariable('map1pointerLong', '-77.4705132'); so.addVariable('map1pointerIconSymbol', 'circledx'); so.addVariable('map1pointerText', 'Accident vicinity'); so.addVariable('map1pointerOffsetX', '24'); so.addVariable('map1pointerOffsetY', '-24'); so.addVariable('map2enabled', 'false'); so.addVariable('jump', getQueryParamValue('jump')); so.write('map_2009821843565'); Road Essentials: Incident Map | Traffic Cams | Key Routes...

By Mike McPhate | September 21, 2009; 8:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Congestion , Driving
Save & Share:

The Week Ahead in Traffic, Transit

As we move into fall this week, there's less light to commute by. Keep a sharp eye out for your fellow commuters, whether they're in vehicles on bikes or on foot. And here's my weekly list of other things to worry about on the roads and rails. I-66 Merge at Beltway This looks like the big one. The morning rush on I-66 isn't much of a rush under the best of circumstances, but last week's change in the traffic pattern slowed eastbound travel even more, drivers said. The HOV exit lane and the regular lane now merge into one lane on the ramp to the Beltway's inner loop. Over the weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation made some adjustments to try to ease the traffic flow. So this morning, drivers should find new yield signs on the ramp and a re-striping of the pavement where the lanes merge. The merge...

By Robert Thomson | September 21, 2009; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Metro , transit | Tags: Arena Drive, Beltway, Dr. Gridlock, Interstate 66, Interstate 95 widening, Red Line, Rockville Pike, Tysons
Save & Share:

Network News

Get There: September 20, 2009 - September 26, 2009