Get There: March 28, 2010 - April 3, 2010
Pentagon City station reopened
Updated, 10:27 p.m. The station has reopened, but expect delays to continue on both the Yellow and Blue lines. The package was deemed not harmful, according to WMATA. The closure was related to both a suspicious package at the station and a phoned-in threat. Earlier post: The Pentagon City Metro station is closed due to a police situation, according to WMATA. Shuttle bus service has been established. We'll update you as we learn more. The station is closed for a police investigation. WMATA has now said that they are investigating a suspicious package. The incident began just after 5:30 p.m. Blue and Yellow line trains are not going through the station -- the Yellow Line is running from Huntington to Crystal City and from the Pentagon to Fort Totten, and the Blue Line from Franconia-Springfield to Crystal City and from Pentagon to Largo Town Center. Expect delays on both lines....
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Terri Rupar
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April 3, 2010; 5:57 PM ET |
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Traffic problems on 18th St. NW
D.C. Fire/EMS officials say a water main break on 18th Street NW between R and S streets may cause traffic delays in the area. Seek an alternate route if you can. If you live in that area, officials say some homes are without water.
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Michael Bolden
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April 2, 2010; 6:30 PM ET |
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VRE trains resume service
VRE says police activity on the tracks south of Alexandria is causing serious delays. The rail agency is trying to get buses to move passengers. Meanwhile, some Amtrak customers heading to New York from Union Station report that they're being told to expect delays because their train is being delayed. Amrak Train 1094 is affected. VRE trains 301 and 325 are at least 25 minutes late.
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Michael Bolden
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April 2, 2010; 3:45 PM ET |
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Metrorail sets ridership record
Metrorail experienced its second-highest weekday ridership every on Thursday, according to a press release from the transit agency. The 34-year-old rail system recorded 877,890 trips on Thursday. Metro officials said the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Washington Capitals hockey game were factors in the record ridership.
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Michael Bolden
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April 2, 2010; 1:30 PM ET |
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The weekend and beyond
As the cherry blossoms peak, so does our traffic and transit congestion. Central Washington and Metrorail have been very crowded this week, and that's likely to continue through the weekend and next week.
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Robert Thomson
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April 2, 2010; 1:02 PM ET |
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| Tags: Dr. Gridlock, The weekend and beyond
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Avoid 15th St. NW and Madison
Emergency crews are battling an electrical fire in the ceiling of a trailer across from the Washington Monument. As crews respond to the blaze, expect traffic issue to develop around the area of 15th Street NW and Madison Drive. Avoid the area.
By
Michael Bolden
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April 2, 2010; 12:06 PM ET |
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Veirs Mill Road reopened
A roundup of the morning rush hour woes.
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Mark Berman
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April 2, 2010; 6:01 AM ET |
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Headaches on the horizon
Here are some advisories for overnight and early Friday.
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Robert Thomson
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April 1, 2010; 6:15 PM ET |
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10th St. entrance reopens at U St.
The 10th Street entrance of U Street-Cardozo Station in the District has been closed due to an escalator problem, Metro said. The 13th Street entrance remains open, Metro said. The station elevator remains in service. Metros escalator disruptions currently list a return to service of April 4 and April 8 for escalators at the station.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 3:20 PM ET |
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Grants for upgrades at Easton Airport
Easton Airport has received two federal grants totaling $1.5 million for repairs and upgrades. The money from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be used to replace and widen a tarmac; install a new drainage system under the tarmac; and trees will be cut to proper height requirements.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 3:15 PM ET |
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Delays possible on K St. NW
The MTA Commuter bus alerted its riders this afternoon that delays are possible on K Street NW between Connecticut Avenue and 17th Street NW because of underground work. On Wednesday, traffic was snarled as Pepco crews worked in an open manhole. A District Department of Transportation spokesman was not aware of any work scheduled for this afternoon, but you may want to avoid the area.
By
Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 2:50 PM ET |
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MARC heat restrictions? Yes, really.
If you received a MARC commuter train alert about heat restrictions on the Brunswick Line Thursday, it's legit.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 1:17 PM ET |
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Economy lot at National is full
if you're flying out of National for the weekend, be warned that parking in the economy lot is essentially gone. At 12:50 p.m., there were four spaces available out of a total 2,986. Daily garage A had 93 spaces and daily garages B and C had 461 spaces. Of course, the economy lot costs $12 per day, but the daily garages are a bit more at twenty bucks.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 12:47 PM ET |
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Last day of Metro budget hearings
Thursday is the last day of Metro's hearings to get public input into how to close the $189 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The hearings begin at 7.p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. open house at All Souls Unitarian Church in Northwest Washington and at the Montgomery County Executive Office Building in Rockville.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 12:18 PM ET |
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DDOT chief on radio show
Gabe Klein, the director of the District Department of Transportation, will be a guest on The Kojo Nnamdi Show Thursday on WAMU 88.5 FM. According to the show's Web site, the Klein segment will start at 12:06 p
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 11:42 AM ET |
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April Fools' around the Web
One of the best comes from our colleagues at the Capital Weather Gang, who report that snow totals at Reagan National Aurport may be adjusted higher, giving the airport a chance to beat BWI. One of the "quotes": "Quite frankly, I'm sick of Baltimore always hogging the snow glory for the mid-Atlantic. Every year at the Airport Weather Conference, the BWI team acts so cocky with their bloated snowfall numbers and their new snowstorm records. With the new National Airport snow multiplier, the DCA weather team can finally hold our heads up high too."
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 11:25 AM ET |
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Cracked rail slows Red Line
Metro just tweeted that a cracked rail on the outbound portion of the Red Line at Takoma Station is slowing travel. There is a speed restriction of 15 mph through the affected area.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 11:14 AM ET |
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Flooding may cause Amtrak delays
Amtrak service between New York and Washington is operating normally Thursday, but passengers may encounter delays because of disruptions in New England caused by flooding.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 10:52 AM ET |
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Metro hires new safety chief
Metro has appointed James M. Dougherty, the former director of safety for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, as its chief safety safety officer, according to a press release.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 10:27 AM ET |
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Personality tests for rail workers?
Engineers and conductors for Southern California's commuter rail service are threatening to boycott new personality tests required after a crash that killed 25 people.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 9:30 AM ET |
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Virginia extends pothole blitz
The Virginia Department of Transportation has extended its pothole blitz through April 15.
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Michael Bolden
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April 1, 2010; 7:30 AM ET |
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I-395 North slow at King St
A roundup of the morning's traffic problems.
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Mark Berman
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April 1, 2010; 5:55 AM ET |
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Final day of Metro hearings
Thursday is the last day of Metro's hearings to get public input into how to close the $189 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The hearings begin at 7.p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. open house at All Souls Unitarian Church in Northwest Washington and at the Montgomery County Executive Office Building in Rockville.
By
Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 7:24 PM ET |
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Headaches on the horizon
Metrorail work will slow Red Line travel Wednesday and Thursday nights.
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Robert Thomson
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March 31, 2010; 6:40 PM ET |
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K St. NW reopens; expect delays
The District Department fo Tranportation reports that eastbound K Street NW is closed in the 1700 block due to fire activity. Expect traffic delays in the area.
By
Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 4:52 PM ET |
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Parking filling up at National Airport
According to data supplied by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the economy parking at Reagan National is just about all taken. At 2:50 p.m., only 15 spaces were avaulable out of 2,971 spaces.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 2:48 PM ET |
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14-car train pulls into New Carrollton
A 14-car train showed up on the Orange Line Monday morning, pulling into New Carrollton Station, according to a Metro press release. Officials said in the statement that an eight-car train that was about to enter service coupled with a six-car train that was stored behind it at the New Carrollton rail yard.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 12:58 PM ET |
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Tips for cherry blossom travel
The National Park Service moved up the peak period for viewing the cherry blossoms; it's right now, so if you want to take advantage, here are some tips. Smithsonian is the closest rail station to the Tidal Basin, so it's very crowded. Consider other nearby stops -- L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Triangle and Metro Center. The walk is longer, but the crowding might be less intense. L'Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place and Metro Center are transfer stations. Avoid the hassle of transferring and stick to one line, even if it means walking farther.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 11:45 AM ET |
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DDOT to show Sherman Ave. plans
The District Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on April 8 to provide details on design plans for improvements on Sherman Avenue.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 11:30 AM ET |
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DOT proposes truck texting ban
The Transportation Department is proposing a ban on text messaging at the wheel by interstate commercial truck and bus drivers. The plan would make permanent an interim ban announced in January by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. It would apply to drivers of interstate buses and trucks over 10,000 pounds.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 10:26 AM ET |
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Jet Blue coming to National Airport
JetBlue plans to launch service at Reagan National in November. The airline, based in Forest Hills, N.Y., said Wednesday it will initially offer at least eight daily departures from Reagan to East Coast cities.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 10:16 AM ET |
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Small plane flips on landing
Maryland State Police say a small plane flipped over as it made an emergency landing at the Monocacy National Battlefield near Frederick.
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Michael Bolden
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March 31, 2010; 8:00 AM ET |
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South Capitol Street reopens
A roundup of the morning rush hour.
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Mark Berman
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March 31, 2010; 5:50 AM ET |
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Headaches on the horizon
between midnight and 5 a.m. while crews move a crane between work areas.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 5:01 PM ET |
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Windshield falls out of Metrobus
The windshield fell out of of a Metro bus near the corner of Stanton and Savannah SE in the District at about 10 a.m. Monday, forcing a busload of passengers to transfer to a following bus.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 2:41 PM ET |
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Alexandria changes tour bus rules
Tour buses in Alexandria will have to register to park at two Old Town locations as part of a pilot program to provide more spaces for motorcoaches and to keep them from circulating on residential streets, said Lorraine Lloyd with the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association.
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Washington Post Editors
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March 30, 2010; 2:24 PM ET |
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Amtrak makes discounts permanent
Amtrak is making discounts on its Northeast Regional fares permanent. The rail agency began offering the discounts, which require advance purchase, last year. They were set to expire at the end of March, the Washington Business Journal reported.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 1:59 PM ET |
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Orange Line on schedule
Metro said a train malfunction at Cheverly Station in Prince George's County is causing delays to Vienna. Please allow extra time if you have any westbound trips planned on the Orange Line. Cheverly is the third-to-last stop on the eastern end of the line, so delays at the station will ripple through downtown and into Northern Virginia.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 1:16 PM ET |
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Suspect jailed in Largo station rape
Prince George's County authorities have jailed a 19-year-old man arrested by Metro Transit Police last month in connection with a carjacking and rape at the parking garage at Metro's Largo Town Center Station.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 12:46 PM ET |
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New stroller guidelines for Circulator
The District Department of Transportation issued new guidlines for strollers on Circulator buses. Officials said the rules are intended "to clear up any confusion about when and if strollers are allowed." The rules ive people using scooters and wheelchairs, people with disabilities and the elderly priority over children in strollers
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 10:47 AM ET |
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Red Line delays ease
Metro is reporting two different sources of delays on the Red Line. A track circuit malfunction at Takoma Station is causing delays to Glenmonet, and a sick customer at Metro Center is causing delays in both directions.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 10:14 AM ET |
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A poetic way to pass your commute
With spring in the air, Metro haiku soothes the nerves of weary riders. Check out submissions at Unsuck DC Metro....
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 9:49 AM ET |
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Frederick driver fined in death of jogger
A driver who fatally struck a jogger running in the road near Emmitsburg has been fined $500 under a plea agreement.
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Michael Bolden
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March 30, 2010; 9:39 AM ET |
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Red Line delays
A roundup of the morning traffic issues.
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Mark Berman
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March 30, 2010; 5:50 AM ET |
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Headaches on the horizon
The Post's Aaron C. Davis reports that the Tidal Basin is difficult to navigate for people intent on seeing the cherry trees in flower. Construction around the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and flooding in the area makes the western half of the basin -- from the Jefferson Memorial to the Roosevelt Memmorial -- unwalkable. Additional construction on the eastern side of the Jefferson Memorial and flooding makes navigation even more difficult.
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Michael Bolden
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March 29, 2010; 7:14 PM ET |
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Rain causing flight delays
Rainy weather through Tuesday will affect travelers on the roads and in the air in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
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Michael Bolden
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March 29, 2010; 7:00 PM ET |
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Red Line delays toward Glenmont
Metro reports that there are delays on the Red Line this afternoon due to a sick customer at the Van Ness-UDC Station. Delays extend to Glenmont.
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Michael Bolden
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March 29, 2010; 4:48 PM ET |
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Longer meter season in Rehoboth?
Some businesses in Rehoboth Beach are concerned about a proposal to extend parking meter use into the shoulder season. Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce President Carol Everhart says it would hurt planned events that use free parking as an incentive for visiting the downtown area.
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Michael Bolden
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March 29, 2010; 11:23 AM ET |
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Metro steps up security, holds drills
Metro is conducting random station and rail yard sweeps Monday after terrorist attacks on subway stations in Moscow. The agency also concluded a previously planned drill Monday that tested the system's ability to respond to a simulated attack on Metrobuses.
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Washington Post editors
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March 29, 2010; 10:15 AM ET |
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MARC issues and VRE delays
A roundup of the day's traffic issues.
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Mark Berman
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March 29, 2010; 5:45 AM ET |
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