Get There - The D.C. area traffic and transportation blog - May 9, 2010

Metrobus detours this weekend

Metro plans to detour 16 bus routes Sunday to get around several events: the George Washington University commencement, the Capitol Hill Classic Fun Run and the Taste of Arlington.

By Robert Thomson | May 14, 2010; 7:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Events , Metro | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, metrobus delays
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After a muggy Friday with potentially strong thunderstorms, travelers will have a partly sunny weekend, says the Capital Weather Gang. That's great for people planning to attend the Andrews Air Show or the Preakness up in Baltimore. Also good is a very limited scheduled of Metrorail weekend work. But watch for several road projects that could slow your travels.

By Robert Thomson | May 14, 2010; 7:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, The weekend and beyond
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A look at Metro's escalators

We frequently hear complaints from readers about Metro's operation--or lack thereof--of its aging escalators. Commuters often find that one or more in a station is out of order, and that to make it worse, station managers haven't ensured that the remaining ones are running in a manner most conducive to the flow of rush-hour traffic. The Post will check in from time to time and take a look at whether performance is increasing or getting worse. As of today, 60 of Metro's approximately 508 escalators--more than 10 percent--are not functioning, in addition to 12 elevators.

By Luke Rosiak | May 14, 2010; 6:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro | Tags: escalators
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Wheaton escalators back in service

Metro is running shuttles from the Wheaton station to its neighbors because three of the four longest escalators in the western hemisphere are out of service, possibly for the next several days. The station is open, but both of the escalators normally descending to the platform--one of the deepest on the system--are out of order, as well as one of the two that normally carry passengers up the lengthy incline.

By Luke Rosiak | May 14, 2010; 4:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro | Tags: escalator outage, shuttle service, wheaton
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Union criticizes Metro communication

The union that represents the majority of Metro employees protested what it said was the transit agency's failure to alert front-line workers of an emergency braking incident involving a Red Line train at Wheaton Station on May 5. The event underscored Metro's lack of a communications system to immediately alert workers of such events, the union said..

By Michael Bolden | May 14, 2010; 3:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Metro , Safety
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Accident blocks 14th St. Bridge

2:15 p.m. Update: The delays do not appear to be extensive. Cameras show that vehicles are moving through the area. Still, be alert for possible backups. Original post: D.C. Fire / EMS officials just tweeted that an accident involving four vehicles is blocking some in bound lanes on the 14th Street Bridge. Check back with The Post for more details....

By Michael Bolden | May 14, 2010; 3:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Block all the commuter routes?

A D.C. candidate vying for a seat in Congress says federal lawmakers need to know how serious the city is about achieving statehood.

By Michael Bolden | May 14, 2010; 2:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Transportation Politics
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Weekend roadwork planned in D.C.

The orange cones will be out in abundance this weekend as the D.C. Department of Transportation conducts several construction projects that will back up traffic.

By Washington Post Editors | May 14, 2010; 11:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 14th street bridge , Advisories , Construction , Driving , Weekend Work | Tags: 12th street tunnel, 14th street bridge, D.C. department of transportation, bridge work, bridges, d.c. road closings, ddot, deck work, i-295, lanes closed
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Inner loop lane closures planned

There will be some lane closures on the Beltway's inner loop just west of Telegraph Road from about 9 p.m. May 21 through 5 a.m. May 24.

By Washington Post Editors | May 14, 2010; 11:26 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Construction , Driving , highways | Tags: Interstate 495, beltway bridge repairs, cameron run, inner loop, lane closures
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Nighttime delays on Metro next week

If you're traveling in the Metrorail system after 8 p.m. next week, bring along a Kindle or your new iPad to keep you occupied. There are extensive delays expected as Metro performs track work.

By Washington Post Editors | May 14, 2010; 11:14 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Metro , transit | Tags: Blue line, Green Line, Red Line, Washington Metro, delays, metro delays, track work
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Hoedown at Barnes Dance tonight?

The resurrection of the "Barnes Dance" method of pedestrian crossing at 7th and H streets NW after a decades-long hiatus was a throwback, but now a group of people is mobilizing on Facebook to wind back the wacky time machine even further: They're planning to turn the Barnes Dance into a barn dance tonight at 7p.m.--replete with cowboy boots, "overalls, plaid and straw hats."

By Luke Rosiak | May 14, 2010; 10:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Events | Tags: Barnes Dance, Pedestrian crossing, fun
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I-495 South blocked at I-66

A roundup of the morning's commuting headaches.

By Mark Berman | May 14, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion | Tags: i-66, i-66 delays
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Red Line trains moving, big delays

Red Line delays from Van Ness.

By Mark Berman | May 14, 2010; 5:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , Metro | Tags: Red Line delays, metro delays, red line delays van ness
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What would you like to see?

During my online chat on Monday, a reader asked about what we post here on the Get There blog. I wanted our transportation and development editor, Michael Bolden, to describe the big picture, but he didn't get a chance while the chat was live. Here's what the reader asked and what Michael said in response. [We invite your comments about what postings you find most helpful and why.]

By Robert Thomson | May 13, 2010; 7:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Biking , Driving , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock
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Headaches on the horizon

Nothing more than a sprinkle to impede your overnight travels, says the Capital Weather Gang, but watch out for some thunderstorms Friday evening. We do have plenty of overnight road work across the D.C. region.

By Robert Thomson | May 13, 2010; 7:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
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P.M. commute turning into a nightmare

6:50 p.m. Update: Emergency officials just tweeted that there are five or six people injured in the incident on 295. None of the injuries are serious, they said. Original post: In addition to the earlier accident on Connecticut Avenue, we're now seeing tweets from D.C. Fire/ EMS officials that a vehicle is on fire at 23rd and N streets NW. Also, there is an accident at DC 295 and Route 50. Officials tweeted that multiple vehicles are involved and there are several injured....

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 6:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion
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Tractor-trailer derails Ct. Ave

Connecticut Avenue is clear, and downtown is moving without difficulties. A tractor-trailer that had nosed across Connecticut to back into Jefferson Place, a small street between M and N streets, in order to make deliveries to an alley, appears to have been hit by a taxi attempting to beat a light.

By Luke Rosiak | May 13, 2010; 6:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion
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Where Metro is going on fares

Here's a look at the potential outcome of the debate over Metro fares.

By Robert Thomson | May 13, 2010; 5:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, MetroAccess, Metrobus, Metrorail
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Bus accident closes Georgia NB

Five cars, a pickup truck and a bus were involved in the cascading collision that has turned Georgia Avenue northbound into a bottleneck in Wheaton, police said: A pickup truck driven by an adult male careened over the median, bounced off a Metro bus carrying only a driver, and hit two cars, causing those cars to domino into three more cars.

By Luke Rosiak | May 13, 2010; 4:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion
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Metro 2020: 'Unmanageable' congestion

Metro's rail system will reach its capacity in 2020 creating "unmanageable" levels of congestion, Metro officials said Thursday. By 2025 both the Orange and Green lines will have more than 20 riders per car, Metro projects. The transit agency would need 320 more rail cars to keep congestion manageable but the current capital plan does not include those.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 3:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Metro
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Metro: Brake incident not hazardous

Metro's safety officer said Thursday that "at no time was a hazardous condition present" on May 5 when a Red Line operator hit the brake because he thought he was too close to the train ahead.

By Robert Thomson | May 13, 2010; 2:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Metro , Safety | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metrorail, Red Line
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Metro hires firm for GM search

Metro has hired the Heidrick & Struggles executive search firm to conduct a search for its next permanent general manager. The transit agency's board of directors awarded the contract during Thursday's meeting

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 2:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Metro
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Suspicious incidents on VRE?

The Post's Jennifer Buske asked a VRE spokesman Thursday afternoon for more detail. Spokesman Mark Roeber said there was an incident of a black bag left by a passenger on a train, which was later claimed. Other incidents involved suspicious behavior, he said. "The reason we've done this is Amtrak police and Metro police have reported on two separate instances people pointing at trains," Roeber said. "Because of this, we simply reminded people again to be aware of their surroundings and anything they might deem to be suspicious." Original post: Virginia Railway Express just sent out an update in its Train Talk newsletter that warns riders that there have been "several incidents that have been suspicious in nature. As a result, please increase vigilance in watching activities onboard trains and near stations." We're working to get specifics on these incidents. Do you ride VRE? Have you seen anything suspicious? Please...

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 12:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: transit
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Metro board split on fares

The Metro board is deeply divided over exactly which fare and fee increases it will approve.

By Robert Thomson | May 13, 2010; 12:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metro budget, MetroAccess, Metrobus, Metrorail
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Metro considers new capital plan

Metro's Board of Directors began consideration of a new six-year, $5 billion capital program on Thursday aimed at upgrading the transit system, including procuring new rail cars.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 12:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Metro
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Metro panel passes fare hike to full board

Members of Metro's board of directors are debating whether to take the unusual step of making a decision on a significant fare hike in isolation rather than in the context of the budget as a whole.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 11:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Metro
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Ash may disrupt summer travel

It's been a month now, and Iceland's volcano shows no sign it will stop belching ash across Europe anytime soon. The rolling eruptions threaten more havoc for summer vacation plans. Jose Luis Barrera, deputy president of Spain's College of Geologists, said Europe should get ready for ash-covered inconvenience at least through the summer -- and perhaps longer. He noted that the volcano's last eruption ran from 1821 to 1823.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 11:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airports , holiday travel
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Heavy traffic on Conn. Ave. NW

Unusual for this time of morning, traffic cameras are showing heavy volume along Connecticut Avenue NW, especially around Calvert Street and Cathedral Avenue. Expect delays in you are traveling in the area.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 9:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Overturned car on T Street NE

D.C. Fire / EMS officials say a vehicle collision on T Street NE at Second Street has resulted in an overturned car. Emergency crews are transporting four people, including one child, to the hospital. However, officials said none of the injuries are life-threatening.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 9:18 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Officers ride to remember fallen

If you're traveling on Route 1 and see a group of police officers on bicycles, it's part of an effort by RIchmond police to honor fellow officers who died in the line of duty. The Bike for the Blue memorial ride began began at 6 a.m. Thursday at the state Capitol in Richmond.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 9:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Biking
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Va. bonds to help fund Dulles rail

More than $490 million worth of revenue bonds have been sold to help pay for road and transit projects across Virginia. The 25-year bonds sold Wednesday by the Commonwealth Transportation Board will help fund light rail in Norfolk, work on the Dulles Metrorail, rehabilitation of 11 bridges on Interstate 95 in the Richmond District and other projects.

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 8:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Airports , Dulles , Metro
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Share your stories from Metro

By Michael Bolden | May 13, 2010; 8:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro
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I-66 East still slow at Beltway

A roundup of the morning's commuting headaches.

By Mark Berman | May 13, 2010; 5:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion | Tags: Beltway Outer Loop, Beltway delays, I-95 Outer Loop
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Headaches on the horizon

Watch for showers and thunderstorms if you're traveling Wednesday night, according to the Capital Weather Gang's forecast. That may interfere with some of the road projects that normally occur overnight. Here's what's on the schedule in the D.C. area for road work and transit work.

By Robert Thomson | May 12, 2010; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
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Metro could apply core charge

The Metro board has a couple of options on the peak of the peak fare surcharge that it plans to consider on Thursday. On Tuesday, we discussed the basic idea: a special charge tacked on during Metrorail's busiest hour and a half in the morning and in the afternoon. But the transit staff also has given the board several ways to apply the surcharge based on geography.

By Robert Thomson | May 12, 2010; 3:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics , transit | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, metrorail
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New VRE platform opens

A new platform and pedestrian bridge at the Woodbridge Virginia Railway Express station officially opened Wednesday, following a ceremony with Prince William County and VRE officials.

By Robert Thomson | May 12, 2010; 2:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: transit | Tags: Commuter rail, VRE
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Bay Bridge traffic likely to be heavy

With spring temperatures forecast and a NASCAR race on tap in Dover, traffic crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore is expected to be unusually heavy this weekend.

By Washington Post Editors | May 12, 2010; 1:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Chesapeak Bay Bridge , Congestion , Driving | Tags: Bridge, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Eastern Shore, Maryland Transportation Authority, Traffic
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Flight delays at BWI Airport

Airlines are reporting delays from several locations for flights arriving and departing at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, officials said. The airport urges you to check wih the airlines to see if you schedule is affected. A link to airlines that fly into BWI, along with their contact information, is here. Delays are being reported from several different cities, including Phildadelphia; Columbos, Ohio; Fort Lauderdale; Milwaukee; and Detroit. Departure delays that are being reported include flights to Chicago; Newark; New Orleans; and West Palm Beach....

By Michael Bolden | May 12, 2010; 12:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airports
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Share your commuting stories

By Michael Bolden | May 12, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro
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All-way crossing opens in D.C.

The paper covers are off the black-and-white signs and the new diagonal crossing lights started flashing at Seventh and H streets in downtown Washington, near Verizon Center. People have begun crossing every which way.

By Robert Thomson | May 12, 2010; 11:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Safety | Tags: DDOT, Dr. Gridlock, Pedestrian crossing
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MARC Penn Line delayed

MARC Penn Line train delayed.

By Mark Berman | May 12, 2010; 8:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting | Tags: MARC delays, marc penn line delays
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Beltway crawling to I-66

A roundup of the morning's traffic headaches.

By Mark Berman | May 12, 2010; 5:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Congestion | Tags: i-395, i-395 reversible lane
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Headaches on the horizon

Scattered showers and some spotty fog may be your worst travel headaches overnight, according to the Capital Weather Gang. This may also interfere with the road work scheduled for Tuesday night. Let's look at how things stand with the high-impact projects.

By Robert Thomson | May 11, 2010; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
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Barnes Dance starts Wednesday

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the District Department of Transportation will create a new pattern for vehicles and pedestrians at 7th and H Streets NW, one of the city's busiest intersections.

By Robert Thomson | May 11, 2010; 3:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Safety | Tags: District Department of Transportation, Dr. Gridlock
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Drivers get bucks for buckling up

Officers and driver-safety advocates handed out hundreds of dollars Tuesday to motorists who had all of the occupants of their vehicles wearing seat belts. Anyone who didn't have a seat belt on was given a verbal warning and literature about seat belt laws.

By Washington Post Editors | May 11, 2010; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Driving , Safety
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Airlines improve flight performance

The government says U.S. airlines are doing better at staying on schedule. The Transportation Department said Tuesday that the airlines averaged an 80 percent on-time arrival rate in March, better than February and better than March 2009.

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 12:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airports
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Pedestrians struck in two locations

D.C. Fire/ EMS officials are reporting that pedestrians have been struck at 11th and H streets NW and 12th and C streets SW.

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 11:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Safety
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Delta expands BWI-NYC service

Delta Air Lines is expanding its daily nonstop service between Richmond and New York City. Delta announced Tuesday that it's adding three round-trip daily flights, effective Sept. 7. The expanded service includes two additional flights between Richmond International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and one additional flight between the Richmond airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 10:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Airports
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Photos: Truck slams into Hirshhorn

A UPS delivery truck ran off the road Monday night, broke through a concrete barrier and smashed into the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Cleanup staff turned out this morning to assess the damage. Read the full story. (Mark Abramson/Post)...

By Mike McPhate | May 11, 2010; 10:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Driving | Tags: crash
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Metro's peak of the pique

Metrorail riders who commute at the busiest times of the day are going to pay more -- and more. They're going to pay a new peak fare. Then in all likelihood, they are going to pay a surcharge on that fare.

By Robert Thomson | May 11, 2010; 9:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (34)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Metro budget, Metro fares, Metrorail
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Union wants Metro to slow trains

Metro's largest union is calling for a safety slowdown of trains after a train operator used his emergency brake last week to avoid hitting another train. The Amalgamated Transit Union is calling on Metro to run its trains no faster than 40 mph until the agency can determine what caused the incident.

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 9:17 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Metro , Safety
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Share your stories from Metro

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 8:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro
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Fire engulfs Arlington bus

Arlington Transit reports that North Pershing Drive between North Wayne Street and Route 50 is shut down because of an ART Bus fire. Officials said drivers should expect traffic disruptions of about 30 to 45 minutes.

By Michael Bolden | May 11, 2010; 7:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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I-395 North jammed at 14th St Bridge

A roundup of the morning's traffic incidents and issues.

By Mark Berman | May 11, 2010; 5:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion | Tags: i-270 north, i-270 south, md 117 at i-270 north, md 118 at i-270 south
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Headaches on the horizon

Here's a rundown on the overnight road work and transit delays across the D.C. region.

By Robert Thomson | May 10, 2010; 8:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Headaches on the horizon
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Person spotted on Orange Line tracks

The Orange Line is experiencing delays at the tail end of rush hour due to reports of an unauthorized person on the tracks near Deanwood. At about 7:20, Metro reported that there was a person on the track bed who should not have been there, and began single-tracking trains between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly. Shortly after, it said the situation had been rectified, but warned that delays continue.

By Luke Rosiak | May 10, 2010; 7:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Metro , Safety
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Buckle up and get a buck in Md.

Drivers in Upper Marlboro can collect a dollar if everyone in their car has a seatbelt properly buckled Tuesday.

By Washington Post Editors | May 10, 2010; 5:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Driving , Safety
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Penn. Ave. project to cause delays

A $30 million construction project along Pennsylvania Avenue east of the Anacostia River will result in traffic delays and pedestrian restrictions beginning Saturday, according to the District Department of Transportation.

By Washington Post Editors | May 10, 2010; 5:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Construction | Tags: Anacostia River, Construction, Pennsylvania Avenue, Rush hour
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Buckle up and get a buck in Md.

State officials and a local credit union plan to hand out cash in Largo Tuesday to people for buckling up their seat belts. The giveaway is scheuled for noon at the Largo Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (10251 Central Avenue).

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 4:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Ash cloud leads to more cancellations

Ryanair and EasyJet, Europe's largest discount carriers, joined airlines that canceled scores of flights as a volcanic ash cloud over the North Atlantic moved toward Spain. Flights in Europe were being reduced Monday to 27,400, down about 5.5 percent from a typical Monday in May, Eurocontrol said.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 4:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Airports
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What matters about Metro?

I'm not sure at what point Maryland's decision to withhold money from Metro's capital budget became a decision about safety and accountability.

By Robert Thomson | May 10, 2010; 4:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Metro , Transportation Politics | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Red Line
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G'town power, traffic signals restored

A power outage in Georgetown is affecting the traffic signal at Foxhall and Reservoir roads. D.C. Fire / EMS officials say Pepco is investigating. Use caution in the area and remember to treat any intersection where the lights are dark as a four-way stop.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 3:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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SUV hits man on sidewalk in Md.

A man was struck and critically injured Monday afternoon by an SUV that drove up on the sidewalk of the Eastover Shopping Center in Oxon Hill, leaving a trail of damage in its wake, police and fire officials said.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 3:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Largo site auction canceled

A group of developers who planned a major mixed-use development near the Largo Metro station, then filed for bankruptcy before breaking ground, abruptly cancelled an auction that could have seen the 18-acre site sold today, according to the Washington Business Journal. Washington Management and Development Co.'s plans, hatched in 2005, called for nearly 500 multi-family residential units, more than 130 condos and 32,000 square feet of retail.

By Luke Rosiak | May 10, 2010; 2:41 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Construction
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Va. wants I-95 tolls along N.C. border

The McDonnell administration wants to establish tolls on Interstate 95 near the North Carolina border. The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates the tolls could generate $30 million to $60 million annually, based on user fees of $1 to $2 an axle. The money generated by those tolls would be used to make safety improvements along the interstate.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 1:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Advisories , Transportation Politics
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MARC platform extension opens at BWI

MARC officials report that the new (northernmost) extension of the platform at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Station has opened.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 1:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Airports , Commuting
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Manhole fire damages car at 9th & L

D.C. Fire/EMS officials say a vehicle has been damaged by a manhole cover at the intersection of Nintth and L streets NW. There is an electrical fire, officials said, and Pepco has been requested to the scene.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 12:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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British Airways crews to strike

British Airways cabin crew plan say they will strike for a total of 20 days over a 23-day period in May and June. The Unite union says that staff plan to walk out May 18-22, May 24-28, May 30-June 3 and June 5-9.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 11:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Routing through road work

A Maryland driver who lives near the Wilson Bridge wanted to know the best route to Dulles Airport. He was thinking about all the construction along the Capital Beltway in Virginia. I said that since it was a daytime trip, I'd stick with Wilson Bridge, around the Beltway and out the Dulles Access Road. But I invited your suggestions. Here's one.

By Robert Thomson | May 10, 2010; 11:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Driving , Dulles , highways | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Dulles Metrorail, HOT lanes
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Truck hits Third Street Tunnel

The District Department of Transportation is reporting that an oversize truck has struck the entrance to the southbound Third Street Tunnel. The southbound tunnel is closed.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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NTSB to hold aviation safety forum

The National Transportation Safety Board plans to hold a three-day "Professionalism in Aviation" safety forum beginning on May 18 at its L'Enfant Plaza headquarters in Washington.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 10:49 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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$10 fares on JetBlue

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, JetBlue is offering $10 fares from Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday. Among the fares we spotted were $10 fares to Fort Lauderdale and Boston.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 10:36 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Trash truck on fire on 295

D.C. Fire/EMS officials report that a trash truck is on fire on 295 northbound near Pennsylvania Ave. SE. Expect traffic issues in the areas.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 10:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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Plan to fight Metro suicides delayed

A suicide prevention program for Washington's Metro system announced last year is running months behind with no start date in sight.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 9:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Metro
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Suspicious package closes 6th NW

The District Department of Transportation reports that SIxth Street NW from C to E streets iis closed while authorities investigate a suspicious package.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 9:05 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting
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The week ahead for traffic, transit

After a beautiful day Monday, travelers may encounter some showers in the D.C. area, according to the Capital Weather Gang. Bikers and walkers should note that the humidity is going to rise as the week develops. This is high season for road projects. Both sides of the Capital Beltway in Virginia are particularly busy. In Maryland, the Intercounty Connector project has some limited traffic impacts, but it's the smaller projects that are likely to cause delays.

By Robert Thomson | May 10, 2010; 8:53 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, The week ahead
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BRAC shifts may create gridlock

The Post's Miranda S. Spivack reports that Northern Virginia officials are concerned that job shifts from a 2011 military base realignment will lead to traffic nightmares. At least 13,000 jobs are slated to relocate from Crystal City, two Metro stops from the Pentagon, to areas mostly dependent on cars.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 7:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Commuting , Transportation Politics
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Blue and Orange Line delays

Blue Line delays at the Van Dorn Street Metro station.

By Mark Berman | May 10, 2010; 7:16 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Advisories , Metro | Tags: blue line, blue line delays van dorn street, metro blue line, metro blue line van dorn, metro delays, van dorn metro delays, van dorn metro station
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Beltway jammed up at I-66

A roundup of the morning's traffic headaches.

By Mark Berman | May 10, 2010; 5:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Commuting , Congestion | Tags: beltway delays, beltway traffic, i-66 delays, i-66 traffic
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Atlantic ash cloud blocks air routes

Eurocontrol says a plume of volcanic ash that forced some airports to close and disrupted flights within Europe over the weekend, has now dispersed. But another band in the mid-Atlantic is still blocking the air routes between Europe and North America. Eurocontrol says trans-Atlantic flights will have to be rerouted around it, causing delays.

By Michael Bolden | May 10, 2010; 5:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories , Airports
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Gas prices show rise but may fall

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose 7 cents in the past two weeks to the highest levels since October 2008, but should retreat following last week's sharp fall in crude oil prices, according to an industry

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 4:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Falling concrete damages police car

D.C. Fire and EMS officials report that a small section of concrete has fallen in a police garage at 1620 V Street NW, the location of the Third District Station. A police garage was damage, but there were no injuries, officials said.

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 3:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Advisories
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Va. teen dies in prom night crash

Virginia state police say a King George teenager died and four other youths suffered serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash.

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 2:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: highways
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Project would extend HOT lanes

The Post's Ashley Halsey III writes that the private firm building Virginia's high-occupancy toll lanes has proposed extending them a mile and a half closer to the Maryland border

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 2:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Jet makes emergency landing

Hydraulic problems forced a Tokyo-bound Continental Airlines plane to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport. The jet, which was carrying 275 passengers and 16 crew members, was taken out of service and will be inspected to determine what caused the problem, said Julie King, a Continental spokeswoman.

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 2:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airports
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NTSB probes ferry crash

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are at the scene of a ferry crash that injured dozens on Staten Island. They're gathering data to figure out what happened about 9:20 a.m. Saturday, when the ferry malfunctioned and smashed into a pier. A briefing is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 2:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Share your stories from Metro

By Michael Bolden | May 9, 2010; 8:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Commuting , Metro
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Get There: May 9, 2010 - May 15, 2010