Get There - The D.C. area traffic and transportation blog - February 7, 2010

Red Line trains single-tracking

Metrorail trains are sharing a single track on a portion of the Red Line this evening after a burning insulator prompted power to be shut off on the northbound track at the Bethesda station, a Metro spokesman said. The burning insulator, attached to the electrified third rail, was detected just north of the station about 5:28 p.m. and extinguished by a train operator, said Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel. Power to the third rail on the track to Shady Grove was shut off, but when it was restored about 5:50 p.m. the problem resumed. Power was again shut off, and the northbound track was closed between Friendship Heights and Medical Center. Trains traveling in both directions shared the southbound track on that stretch, Taubenkibel said. No injuries were reported. --Martin Weil...

By Terri Rupar | February 13, 2010; 6:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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District to end snow restrictions

Though plowing continues, the District will formally end the snow emergency at 5 p.m. Saturday, allowing people to resume parking on streets designated as snow emergency routes. The District taxicab commission also announced that the snow emergency for taxicabs is no longer in effect. The District issued a reminder that it is not legal to reserve a parking space on a public street with cones, chairs or anything else that would obstruct someone else from using the space....

By Ashley Halsey | February 13, 2010; 10:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Snow clearing to close streets in D.C.

From the D.C. Department of Transportation: "Snow hauling operations will continue throughout the weekend as District snow crews continue to work on removing, hauling, and plowing after back-to-back snow storms hit the city. Roadway and temporary lane closures will occur throughout the day on many of the District's major routes. Motorists are advised to be prepared for possible detours or minor delays. Currently the eastbound Whitehurst Freeway is closed until 10 a.m. from Key Bridge to K Street, NW and inbound New York Avenue at Bladensburg has been shut down to only one travel lane. There will be rolling closures along New York Avenue between 7th Street, NE and the District/Maryland line throughout the day Saturday. The southbound closure on the I-395/3rd Street tunnel that occurred overnight has been lifted. All lanes for the 3rd Street tunnel are now open."...

By Washington Post Editors | February 13, 2010; 10:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: D.C. snowstorm, Washington snow, snow removal
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Friday night gridlock in D.C.

The nation's capital was largely gridlocked in bumper-to-bumper madness Friday night, a result of streets narrowed by piles of snow and a Metro transportation system buckling under constant strain. Motorist Katherine Lewis sat for an hour in the 1700 block of S. Street NW around 6 p.m. Ahead of her, she said by phone, a Metro bus was stuck in the snow. A police car blocked her access to the southbound lanes of 18th Street NW. She and a dozen other motorists headed in her direction were going nowhere. "We can't get out," she said. "Send help." A D.C. Ambulance sat for more than 10 minutes in the intersection of Rhode Island Ave. and 15th street NW, siren blaring and lights flashing. But there was simply nowhere for motorists to go to make way for the emergency vehicle. On traditional commuter routes such as 15th and 16th streets NW, as...

By Washington Post staff | February 12, 2010; 7:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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D.C. Metro train derails at Farragut North

The first two cars of a Metro Red Line train derailed on Friday at 10:13 a.m. as it was leaving the Farragut North station. Three minor injuries were reported among 345 passengers. The station itself and roads around it were closed for about two hours while emergency workers addressed the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced an investigation. Metro sources have said that the train was automatically derailed after it went onto the incorrect set of tracks and was headed into the path of oncoming trains.

By Michael Bolden | February 12, 2010; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (63)
Categories: transit
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Metro commute a "nightmare"

The Metro commute was a nightmare for many commuters

By Mark Berman | February 12, 2010; 8:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (36)
Categories: Advisories , Metro
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Delays as drivers return to roads

There's still lots of ice and snow as drivers hit the road again to return to work

By Mark Berman | February 12, 2010; 7:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion
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Black ice this morning's worry

The legion of snow plows seemed to have delivered on the promise to have the region's major roadways open 36 hours after the the blizzard ended Wednesday, but as the District prepared for government offices to reopen Friday morning the salt trucks were attacking black ice that formed over night. At 6:22 a.m. a car on Connecticut Avenue at Van Ness Street was lucky to have the roadway to itself as it spun in a wide arc on ice and came to rest facing backward against the curb. By the time the driver moved on traffic had begun to flow in behind. With the temperture in 20s after relative warmth and salting caused snow to melt on Thursday, patches of black ice remained despite overnight salting. At New York Avenue and 9th street a dump truck rolled by, spreading more salt. The District's effort to focus on in-bound lanes after...

By Ashley Halsey | February 12, 2010; 6:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Transit roundup for Friday

There are some complicated service plans for Friday. Here are the basics, starting with Metro (more stations may open as the day wears on).

By Robert Thomson | February 12, 2010; 5:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (26)
Categories: Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm
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Metro to expand service on Friday

Metro announced that 15 stations remain closed as rail service begins Friday morning. More stations will open if tracks can be cleared of snow drifts that total six feet in some places.

By Michael Bolden | February 12, 2010; 5:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)
Tags: metro
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D.C. area travel challenges for Friday

These are some of the issues that drivers and transit users will confront on what's likely to be a very unusual travel day in the Washington area.

By Robert Thomson | February 12, 2010; 4:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Driving , Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Amtrak service returning to normal

Amtrak announced that much of its service in the Northeastern corridor would return to normal after several days of disruptions. Visit www.amtrak.com for more information, or call 800-872-7245.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 6:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak
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Metro Green Line in service

Metro officials reopened the entire Green Line at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, with trains operating the entire Metrorail line between Greenbelt and Branch Avenue Metrorail stations

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 6:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: Green Line, Metro
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Ecstasy, then agony, on Brisbane Street

I took a drive down one of the scores of streets that neighbors told us had not been plowed and for a moment, thought I might be there for the breakthrough.

By Robert Thomson | February 11, 2010; 4:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm
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Metro expands to above ground

Red line train service is operating between Medical Center and Glenmont, according to an alert from the transit agency.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 4:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (27)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit
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Metro hopes to expand rail Thursday

Metro may resume service at some above-ground rail stations Thursday, Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 3:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit
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Snowfall a challenge for D.C. plows

The sheer volume of the snow that has accumulated in the District since last Friday has added a challenge to clearing the streets, city officials said Thursday.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 2:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Advisories , Weather , highways | Tags: District Department of Transportation
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Southwest: Full service at BWI Friday

The airfield at Reagan National reopened for flights this morning about 11 a.m.,.according to the airport's Web site. Flights at Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport were gradually resuming this morning, too.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 2:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Airports , holiday travel | Tags: BWI, Dulles, Reagan National
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Metro reopens 47 bus routes

Metro announced that improving road conditions have allowed resumption of service on 47 bus routes around the region. Metro runs more than 300 routes on a normal schedule.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 1:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: Metrobus, metro
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Metro ridership tumbles

Metro's revenue is taking a hit from record-low rail and bus ridership during the recent storms.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Advisories , transit | Tags: Metro, WMATA
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Can there be 'enough plows?'

Airports | Amtrak | Buses | Capital Weather Gang | D.C. snow emergency | Plowing plans | Rails | Snow removal | Live traffic A snow plow is stuck in the media of Route 123 in McLean. Cliff Owen/ Associated Press My good colleagues Robert Thomson and Robert McCartney make very worthy points about the snow removal efforts this week in Virginia, Maryland and the District. Quite a number of readers also have weighed in on the subject by e-mail in the past 10 days, a great many of them frustrated because the plows had not yet reached their street. It was particularly frustrating to them when they heard from nearby friends whose streets had been visited by the plows. I've written back to quite a few of them, asking what they felt was a reasonable time frame in which a plow should reach them after a big storm. Their...

By Ashley Halsey | February 11, 2010; 11:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Weather | Tags: winter weather
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Today's read: Snow winners and losers

Post columnist Robert McCartney: The epic snowstorms of the past week have divided our region into winners and losers. He provides a score card. But in many ways, it's too early to grade the transportation tests.

By Robert Thomson | February 11, 2010; 10:43 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail, snowstorm
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Police search for stranded motorists

Westbound I-70 near Frederick has re-opened as state and local officials continue to clear a knot of about eight jackknifed tractor-trailer rigs and 30 stranded passenger vehicles that had been caught Wednesday in snowdrifts up to 8 feet high, said Charlie Gischler, spokesman for the State Highway Administration.

By Michael Bolden | February 11, 2010; 9:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Weather , highways | Tags: street closings
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Green line delays

Green line delays add to commuting problems

By Mark Berman | February 11, 2010; 8:42 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Metro
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Roads full of delays

The area's roadways aren't that crowded, but the few drivers still face delays.

By Mark Berman | February 11, 2010; 7:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion
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At dawn, traffic is light

Traffic was very light on snow-covered roads in the region

By Mark Berman | February 11, 2010; 6:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Dulles reopens

Dulles airport reopening, BWI canceling most flights, Reagan uncertain

By Mark Berman | February 11, 2010; 6:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Airports
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Transit roundup for Thursday

For anyone who's been outside or even looked outside, there will be no surprises in our transit forecast.

By Robert Thomson | February 10, 2010; 9:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Metro underground again Thurs.

Metro will continue to limit its rail service to underground portions of the system Thursday.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 6:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: Metro, metro safety
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Amtrak limits Thurs. service

Amtrak has implemented widespread service cuts for Thursday. Visit www.amtrak.com, the Get There blog or call 800-872-7245 for more information.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 4:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak
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Metro likely to limit rail Thursday

The ferocity of the storm that swept through Washington left Metro officials anticipating that the system will only have run rail service underground Thursday and will limit bus and MetroAcess services, or suspend the latter operations altogether.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 3:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: metro, metro safety
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D.C.'s thin line of transit service

For most events -- natural or man-made -- that create travel problems in the Washington region, government leaders advise us to take transit. That's not happening on Wednesday, and for good reason: The transit system is down to underground Metrorail, and very few people are taking that.

By Robert Thomson | February 10, 2010; 1:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Metro , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Road crews fight back against storm

Forget every other tough day this remarkable winter. Mere child's play compared to this Wednesday. Highway workers, who deserve a week's worth of sleep, are in an unusually tough fight against the snow on the roads and the snow in the air.

By Robert Thomson | February 10, 2010; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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D.C. ambulance crews struggling

Response times for ambulances in the District have been slowed because of whiteout conditions, and dialysis patients in need of treatment have made up the bulk of emergency calls, the city's fire and EMS spokesman said.

By Washington Post Editors | February 10, 2010; 11:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Driving , Safety , Weather
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Power out? Tell us about it

With strong winds and more snow expected throughout the day, experts are predicting at least some new power outages in the Washington region. If you are experiencing an outage, please help us get the word out by posting your location, when the outage occurred, and how you are dealing with the situation. If you are a Twitter user, please consider tweeting your report using the hashtag #poweroutage....

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 11:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)

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Metro single-tracking Wednesday

Metro stored an unprecedented number of rail cars in underground tunnels on Tuesday night as the blizzard was hitting the Washington area to minimize the labor-intensive job of digging them out from rail yards, a Metro official said Wednesday.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 11:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , transit | Tags: Metro, Metro delays, weather
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Five reasons you shouldn't move today in the snow storm

Take your travel cues from these developments, as of 10 a.m.: Several jurisdictions have temporarily suspended plowing. Pepco has temporarily suspended its outdoor repairs. Several big performances scheduled for Wednesday night have been canceled.

By Robert Thomson | February 10, 2010; 10:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Two Disney ice shows canceled

The Disney on Ice shows scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Verizon Center have been canceled, because of the blizzard.

By Robert Thomson | February 10, 2010; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events , Metro , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Power out at Columbia Heights

The Post's Maria Glod reports that power is out at the Columbia Heights Metro Station on the Green Line. Spotlights have been set up on the mezzanine to provide light.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 8:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Metro
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Widespread service cuts for Amtrak

Amtrak is canceling and limiting service on Wednesday due to downed trees and power lines on some tracks. For more infromation, visit the Get There blog or call 800-872-7245.

By Michael Bolden | February 10, 2010; 8:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak
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Early lane closures and accidents

The snowfall and ice have combined to form bad road conditions, but the drivers actually on the roads are facing accidents and lane closures.

By Mark Berman | February 10, 2010; 6:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Flight operations suspended

Airlines are relaxing their ticketing policies and waiving change fees due to conditions. Washington's three major airports said there have been widespread cancellations for Wednesday. Check with your airline for the latest information and to rebook.

By Michael Bolden | February 9, 2010; 10:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Airports , Weather | Tags: BWI, Dulles, Reagan National
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Transit roundup for Wednesday

Here's the bleak outlook for transit services on Wednesday.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 10:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Road conditions deteriorating

Stay home this evening. Snow and ice have made it hazardous to drive on local streets and on highways. The snowfall is obscuring some of the icy patches and snow packs that lurk beneath. The the snow bergs that obscure views at intersections are only getting bigger.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 10:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Metro goes underground early

Metrorail stopped its above-ground service at 8:45 p.m Tuesday, deciding to limit rail service to the underground portion of the tracks. The news was tweeted about 8:40 p.m., followed by the distribution of a press release.

By Michael Bolden | February 9, 2010; 8:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Weather , transit | Tags: Metro, metro safety, metrorail
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VRE cuts Wednesday service

VRE will not operate on Wednesday due to the approaching snowstorm.

By Michael Bolden | February 9, 2010; 7:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , transit | Tags: VRE
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Snow equipment sidelined

Gabe Klein, director of the District Department of Transportation, said 25 percent of the city's snow equipment, including plows, were out of service early Tuesday due to wear and tear. He said that was not unusual given the magnitude of the storm. Klein estimated that repairs would improve the number to 10 percent by Tuesday night.

By Michael Bolden | February 9, 2010; 7:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Weather
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Metrorail likely underground Wed.

The transit authority says the new snow is likely to keep the trains in the tunnels on Wednesday. There will be no Metrobus or MetroAccess service.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 6:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Metro
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Md. legislators protest snow response

Whether they had a tough time getting to work or never made it out of their neighborhoods in the first place, many people looked for ways to effectively vent their anger about the pace of the storm cleanup.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 5:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Transportation Politics , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm
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Getting ahead of next snow

Here are a few things to help with your planning for the next round.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 4:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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All Metrorail stations open

All Metrorail stations are open this afternoon, the transit authority says. Metrorail trains on the Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green lines are operating every 20 minutes, and all 86 Metrorail stations are open.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 3:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: metro service, metrorail, washington transit
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All travel still difficult in D.C. area

We are in the midst of a natural disaster, and no part of the D.C. area's transportation system is functioning very well. Residents say many neighborhood streets haven't been cleared. Drivers are crawling along main roads, which is good, because if they got up any speed, it would be dangerous. Bus riders often don't have a stop at which to wait. Train riders are complaining about long waits on crowded platforms.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 1:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail, snowstorm, tips for travelers, washington snow
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Plowing results vary across D.C. region

From what I've seen and from the reports I've received from you, the road clearing operations have achieved mixed results. It's not just a question of highways vs. neighborhoods. Conditions vary along one stretch of highway, or from neighborhood to neighborhood. Here's a sample.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 10:12 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Weather
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Blue Line train evacuated

Morning commuters had to evacuate a Blue Line train after it apparently got entangled in a loose cable as it approached the Smithsonian Metrorail station about 8:30 Tuesday, causing a small fire.

By Washington Post editors | February 9, 2010; 9:37 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Metro
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Blue and orange line delays

A train malfunction at the Smithsonian Metro station has caused single-tracking and delays on the blue and orange lines.

By Mark Berman | February 9, 2010; 9:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Metro
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MARC delays

MARC trains saw delays of up to 30 minutes due to the weather and congestion.

By Mark Berman | February 9, 2010; 7:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Area delays and snafus

Area roads are slow and filled with accidents and delays, owing to the snow and ice on the ground.

By Mark Berman | February 9, 2010; 7:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion
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Airports open -- for now

Area airports are open for the time being, though more snow looms.

By Mark Berman | February 9, 2010; 6:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Airports
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Red Line restored; Blue Line limited

The effects of the past storm and anticipation of the next will limit Metro transit services on Tuesday.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 5:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (26)
Categories: Metro , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metro delays, Metrorail, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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The day ahead on roads and rails

For the second time in less than a week, we face a day in which the morning commute is quite likely to be very different from the evening commute.

By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2010; 5:34 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Driving , Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Amtrak cuts some Tuesday service

Amtrak has cut several routes for Tuesday in advance of the approaching snowstorm. Call 800-USA-RAIL

By Michael Bolden | February 8, 2010; 10:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak
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Headaches on the horizon

The only road work you're likely to see tonight is snow clearing. And what are you doing out there, anyway? The road chemicals and the sunshine melted a lot of snow and ice on the roadways, but it's going to refreeze tonight. That will create dangerous black ice. Drivers will be cruising along thinking all is well, then find themselves in a skid over a thin, icy layer above the pavement.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
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VDOT goal: Every street by Tuesday

The Virginia Department of Transportation phone lines have been overwhelmed by people eager to have their streets plowed, staff writer Ashley Halsey III reports.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 5:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm
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Snow-capped cars irk drivers

While many drivers complain about what government did or failed to do during the snowstorm, plenty of people want to complain about their fellow drivers.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 4:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm
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Metro postpones big track project

With yet another big storm approaching the D.C. area, Metro has postponed the project that would have disrupted service on the Orange and Blue lines throughout the Presidents' Day weekend.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 4:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail
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Highway crews prepare for next blow

We face several danger points on the roadways in the next 24 hours, Maryland State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen said Monday afternoon.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 3:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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Top 5 driving hazards

I just got back from taking the GridSpouse to Dulles airport via neighborhood streets, the Capital Beltway in Maryland and Route 267. If your driving on local streets or highways in the D.C. area on Monday, these are the main hazards.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 11:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Advisories , Driving , Weather | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, snowstorm, tips for travelers
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What's clear?

Has your street been plowed? Is your neighborhood or business's parking lot clear? The Post is tracking the area's roads and neighborhoods that have been plowed, and we need your help. Leave a comment below and let us know what you're seeing, or send us an e-mail. Please be as specific as possible....

By Michael Bolden | February 8, 2010; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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How did they do?

How do you think your state and local officials handled this weekend's Snowmaggedon? Send your thoughts, photos and, if possible, a phone number where you can be reached to somashekhars@washpost.com....

By Michael Bolden | February 8, 2010; 11:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)

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Join me at noon for online chat

And there should be a lot to talk about today in local traffic and transit. We can relive your weekend experiences and look ahead to the rest of the week. Use this link to reach the discussion. Use this link to submit a question or comment in advance....

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting | Tags: Dr. Gridlock
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Flying snow a road hazard

A new highway hazard became common Monday morning as more cars took to roads now clear enough for higher speeds: crusty chunks of flying snow.

By Michael Bolden | February 8, 2010; 9:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Advisories , highways | Tags: DC traffic, weather
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Accidents slow a.m. drive

Several accidents and lane closures have further slowed drivers this morning.

By Mark Berman | February 8, 2010; 7:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Canal Road reopens in the District

Canal Road in Northwest Washington was reopened after being closed due to fallen trees.

By Mark Berman | February 8, 2010; 5:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories
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Fairfax Connector running limited service

The Fairfax Connector will be running limited service from noon to 7 p.m. today.

By Mark Berman | February 8, 2010; 5:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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The week ahead for traffic and transit

Traffic should be light Monday morning because many school systems and many governments, including the feds, are shut down. No transportation agency is saying that travel is a good idea today.

By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2010; 4:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Advisories , Driving , Metro , Weather , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead
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The long way home

Airports | Amtrak | Buses | Capital Weather Gang | D.C. snow emergency | Plowing plans | Rails | Snow removal | Live traffic The 10:27 Amtrak out of Newark airport on Sunday night had its share of Washingtonians who couldn't fly home - so they settled on flying to Newark first. "It's been trains, planes and automobiles," says Laura Cantral, sitting next to a window, and catching up on email using a laptop and an air-card. She was due into Union station at 1:25 a.m. From there, only six blocks to her home in Capitol Hill, which she was prepared to walk. Cantral, 47, a senior mediator at Meridian Institute, awoke Sunday morning in Orange County, where she had she been on business. She drove a rental car an hour to the airport, boarding a United Airlines flight to Chicago for an alleged connection to Reagan National. No good....

By Michael Bolden | February 8, 2010; 2:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak, winter weather
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Limited rail, buses for Metro

Metro will run underground only rail service beginning at 7 a.m. Monday. Very limited bus service will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 7 p.m.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 6:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: Metro, Metrobus, weather, winter weather
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BWI opens one runway

According to a spokesman, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority expects limited service at Dulles International Airport today. However, travelers are advised not to come to the airport unless they have a booked flight. One of the issues is that many of the first flights will be arrivals as most aircraft flew out of the area in advance of the approaching snowstorm.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 4:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Airports , Weather | Tags: Dulles, Reagan National
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Train agencies cut Mon. service

Amtrak has canceled some Monday service. Call 800-872-7245 or visit www.amtrak.com.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 3:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak, VRE, travel tips
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Plowing just isn't enough

Major roads and even many residential side streets in the Adams Morgan/Logan Circle/Dupont Circle area of the District have been plowed. But in most cases this simply means the snow has been smoothed down, creating a packed surface about an inch thick that is hardening to ice in many patches. So what few cars are out are proceeding slowly and cautiously.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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MoCo: Crews focused on main roads

Montgomery County officials said Sunday that snow plows won't even begin tackling most neighborhood streets until Monday. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is currently plowing and treating primary and secondary roads and expects to complete that work by Sunday night.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 11:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Montgomery County, Montgomery Department of Transportation
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VDOT: 500,000 tons to clear

It could be days before the Virginia Department of Transportation finishes plowing neighborhoods in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince Williams counties. VDOT says snow-clearing crews are working 24 hours a day but they must first focus on interstates and primary roads. With more than 30 inches in some areas of the Washington region, it's a Herculean task that could be complicated by additional snowfall on Tuesday.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 9:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: VDOT
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Upper NW streets still buried

Critical thoroughfares and side streets in upper Northwest Washington are still snowed under this morning, with little signs of salt or plows.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 9:33 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Advisories , Weather
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Crashes keep Va. police busy

According to statistics just released by the Virginia State Police, troopers responded to 4,373 calls for service statewide from midnight Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday. Those calls included 1,713 traffic crashes and 1,699 disabled vehicles. The state police's Fairfax Division alone responded to 681 calls for service, including 435 disabled vehicles and 121 traffic crashes.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 9:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , Weather , highways
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Circulator open and free Monday

The D.C. Circulator will not operate Sunday. No word yet on Monday service.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 7:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , transit | Tags: Circulator
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Suburban buses still suspended

Fairfax Connector bus service will not operate Sunday. No word yet on Monday service. Montgomery County Ride On bus service will not operate Sunday. No word yet on Monday service. Alexandria's DASH bus service will not operate Sunday. Officials expect to make a decision after 7 p.m. Sunday about Monday service.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 6:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Weather , transit | Tags: Alexandria, DC transit, Fairfax Connector, ride on
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Amtrak cuts Sunday service

Widespread cancellations on Amtrak for Sunday.

By Michael Bolden | February 7, 2010; 6:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Weather | Tags: Amtrak
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Get There: February 7, 2010 - February 13, 2010