Get There

Here's a heads up about some of the traffic and transit changes commuters should be prepared for this week.

Beltway/Eisenhower Connector reopened
Drivers on the inner loop will find the traffic pattern a bit different this week. The lane shift between the Telegraph Road interchange and the Eisenhower Connector was completed on schedule over the weekend, and the inner loop exit to the Eisenhower Connector has reopened.

An outer loop traffic shift in the same area is scheduled for this coming weekend, Dec. 11-13, so traffic congestion could result from the realignment of the lanes on Friday night and Saturday. All this is part of the widening of the Beltway in that area west of the Wilson Bridge.

Beltway HOT lane shift
The transportation project having the biggest impact on travelers this fall is the HOT lanes construction along the western side of the Capital Beltway in Virginia. This is so despite the fact that through lanes are not blocked during peak travel periods.

Recently, northbound and southbound traffic on the Beltway was shifted left approaching the Arlington Boulevard (Route 50) interchange. Beltway lanes in this area were narrowed so workers can safely demolish and rebuild parts of the roadway and the bridges over Route 50. This traffic pattern will remain for 12 to 18 months.

Here's the HOT lanes construction schedule at Braddock Road for this week:
-- I-495 south at Braddock Road and several lanes on I-495 north will close nightly from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. tonight through Friday morning to allow crews to install steel beams for a new bridge over the Beltway. Braddock Road exit ramps to I-495 south will also be closed.
-- Beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, through 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, the exit ramp from I-495 north to Braddock Road west will be closed for installation of a new waterline. Motorists should expect delays approaching the interchange during peak travel periods.

There's more about the extensive HOT lanes work at www.vamegaprojects.com.

Montrose Parkway opening
There's a new traffic pattern at a heavily traveled junction in North Bethesda. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has opened the last segment of Montrose Parkway West between East Jefferson and Old Georgetown Road.

Eastbound traffic on the parkway now has direct access to the new underpass beneath Rockville Pike that emerges onto Randolph Road.

Local traffic heading east on Montrose Road can turn right or left onto East Jefferson Street and Rockville Pike, but cannot cross the pike to Randolph Road. Drivers on eastbound Montrose Road who want to reach Randolph Road need to turn right on Old Georgetown Road, then make an immediate left onto the new eastbound parkway.

Traffic going north on Rockville Pike takes a new ramp to turn right onto Randolph Road.

Fairfax Connector changes
The Fairfax Connector has added bus trips, adjusted schedules, created a new route, Route 402, and consolidated 10 bus stops. The affected routes include 401, 621, 622, 623 and 950. Ten stops, mostly along Elden Street in Herndon on Route 950, have been consolidated.

Rebuilding 17th Street NW
The District Department of Transportation has begun a $4.5 million resurfacing and improvement project on heavily traveled 17th Street NW between Massachusetts and New Hampshire avenues. The project, scheduled to be done next fall, uses federal stimulus money.

Besides milling and repaving the street, the work includes replacing the sidewalk, adding granite curbs and installing new street lights, traffic signals and trees.

Metro weeknight maintenance
Metro warns that some riders on the Red, Blue and Orange lines should allow at least 20 to 30 extra minutes for their nighttime travel this month as the transit authority performs maintenance work.
Red Line: Trains will share one track between the Medical Center and Grosvenor stations from 8 p.m. through closing. Riders should add at least 20 minutes to their travel times. The work will be performed today through Thursday; Dec.14-17; Dec. 20-23; and Dec. 27-30.
Blue Line: Trains will share one track between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road stations from 9:30 p.m. through closing. Add at least 30 minutes. The work will be performed tonight through Thursday; Dec.13-17; Dec. 20-23; and Dec. 27-30.
Orange Line: Trains will share one track between the Cheverly and New Carrollton stations from 9:30 p.m. through closing. Add at least 20 minutes. The work will be performed tonight through Thursday; Dec.13-17; Dec. 20-23; and Dec. 27-30.

I-66 ramp meters
A sign of our congested times: Starting today, the Virginia Department of Transportation will operate the I-66 ramp meters both eastbound and westbound during rush hours. Until now, ramp meters have been used only eastbound in the morning and westbound in the evening on I-66 inside the Capital Beltway.

Ramp meters are a good controller for highway traffic. They help ease congestion by regulating traffic flowing onto the highway by forcing vehicles to stop at red lights at the bottom of entrance ramps. The potential downside is that traffic backs up from the ramp onto local streets. VDOT installed ramp meters on I-66 and I-395 in 1985.

The link between Eisenhower Avenue and the Beltway's inner loop in Alexandria has been restored. It was closed during the summer as part of the Wilson Bridge construction project.

The inner loop traffic shift between the Telegraph Road interchange and the Eisenhower Connector has been completed. (Congratulations on getting it done despite the rain and snow.) This was the weekend construction project most likely to cause major traffic delays.

Now, all three travel lanes in the work zone are open. So are the entrance ramps to the inner loop from Telegraph Road and the inner loop exit to the Eisenhower Connector.

A similar shift in the outer loop lanes is scheduled for this coming weekend, Dec. 11-13. It's all part of the widening of the Beltway in that zone.

Washington rarely gets snow storms. We get winter events that mix in all kinds of moisture. For travelers, that means dealing with change. Today, the weather you go out in may not be the weather you return home in.

The Capital Weather Gang is predicting a rainy start, then a mix of rain and snow, then all snow toward evening. Whatever it is, it's the first of the season. We don't handle such events very well. Count on travelers to forget the following things, which you, of course will remember:

Changes. If the forecasters aren't quite sure what will fall when, why should drivers be? Look as far ahead into traffic as you can. What's happening up there? Are they all slowing down? Is that someone skidding on the overpass? Did slush affect that driver's speed? Is the road condition going to be very different as I make this next turn?

Visibility. If we get an accumulation, it's likely to be wet snow. Not the stuff that requires a scraper, but drivers should push it off the windows, roof and lights before pulling away from a parking spot. (Got window washer fluid?) Put your headlights on. Use turn signals. It's not just a question of you seeing other drivers and pedestrians. You need them to see you.

Parking lots.This isn't a commuter day. It's a holiday shopper day. Best advice for shoppers is wait till Sunday, which has a good-looking forecast. If you have to go out today, morning is better than afternoon. Try to park under cover. It may be raining when you go in the mall, but snowing when you come out. Go slowly down the parking lanes. Watch for backup lights and for pedestrians. Try to park so that you're facing out, so you won't need to back up when you leave. It's that visibility thing.

Transit riders. At bus stops, don't be leaning out to see if the bus is coming. Those cars will splash you. Try Metro's Next Bus system to get arrival times, but know that deteriorating road conditions can throw off the Next Bus computer brain. On Metrorail outdoor platforms, remember the trains are pulling all the way to the front of the platforms, beyond the reach of most overhangs. So be careful on those slippery paving tiles.

When it snows ...
Our first snow of the season spread across the Washington region Saturday. Check out Dr. Gridlock's recent feature on what local jurisdictions are prepared to do when snow starts to fly. Here's a prescription for traveling through the white stuff. Check out what the airports have planned here. You can share your thoughts on navigating in the snow in our transportation discussion forum, Taken for a Ride.

Metrorail
Metro plans to trim leaves and weeds and perform track, tunnel and bridge maintenance on weekends this December, so customers on the Red, Orange, Blue and Yellow lines should expect delays of at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Red Line:Trains will share one track between Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations from 8 p.m. Friday through closing on Sunday. Metro warns that riders should add at least 20 minutes to their travel time.

Orange Line:Trains will share one track between Cheverly and Stadium-Armory stations from 9:30 p.m. on Friday to 10 a.m. on Sunday. Riders should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time.

Blue and Yellow lines:Trains will share one track between Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street stations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. During those periods, Blue and Yellow line trains will operate to Huntington Station. A Blue Line shuttle train will run between Franconia-Springfield and King Street stations.

Beltway traffic shift
Crews working as part of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project expect to shift Beltway traffic from existing inner loop lanes to new ones just west of the Beltway bridge that passes over Cameron Run, then transition traffic onto the original Beltway lanes near the Eisenhower Connector. Starting after rush hour on Friday, be alert for ramp and lane closures in the area through Saturday night.

Sunday closing in Georgetown
One block of Wisconsin Avenue between M and N streets will be closed on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Merriment in Georgetown holiday celebration. Traffic will be detoured around the area. The Circulator buses will operate on a modified route, and there will be no service on Wisconsin Avenue north of M Street.

HOT lanes work postponed
Because of the weather, the Virginia Department of Transportation postponed the weekend-long ramp closure at Braddock Road.

The current snow plan for Reagan National and Dulles International airports plan is to continue closely monitoring the weather and the airfield conditions. Right now the pavement temperatures are well above freezing at both airports, a spokesman said. He said the airports will have maintenance crews at both airports that can operate snow equipment Saturday if the need arises.

As with any storm, the airports are advising passengers to keep contact information for their airline handy. That way they can quickly check the status of their flights as the airlines provide specific updates.

--Sholnn Freeman

The Capital Weather Gang warns our first snow of the season may arrive Saturday. Check out Dr. Gridlock's recent feature on what local jurisdictions are prepared to do when snow starts to fly.

In the District, "The city is ready and on alert for the season's first threat of bad weather," Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said in a statement.

According to a press release from the District Department of Transportation, the deployment for this weekend's storm includes 107 heavy trucks, 82 light trucks and activation of the city's salt domes. The District has five salt domes stocked with 40,000 tons of salt.

"Curent forecasts indicate minor snow and ice in the District, but temperatures are expected to go below freezing on Saturday night," said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. "We will treat the roadways, as necessary, throughout the storm."

Department of Public Works Director William O. Howland Jr. said the agency will suspend leaf collection on Saturday so that crews can prepare for the expected snowfall. DDOT mounts plows and salt spreaders on leaf collection trucks when snow is expected, officials said.

Here are some helpful tips on finding out the latest on conditions and driving in the snow, no matter where you live in the region.

In Maryland you can check conditions by visiting www.marylandroads.com and clicking on the CHART information center, which offers snow emergency information, traffic camera views, weather updates, maps showing average travel speeds on highways and road-closing reports. There's also a Winter Storm Hotline at 800-327-3125.

In the District of Columbia, call the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at 311 to find out whether vehicles need to be removed from Snow Emergency Routes. (To find a towed vehicle, call 202-727-5000.) Go to the District Department of Transportation's Web site, www.ddot.dc.gov, and click on "Snow Plan" to get the latest on weather and road conditions. An online application, http://snowmap.dc.gov/, allows residents to track the snowplows.

In Virginia, the 511 traveler-information service gives drivers the most up-to-date data available about weather, construction or accidents that might affect travel. Updates can be received by calling 511 from any landline or wireless phone in Virginia or by going online to www.511virginia.org to view traffic cameras, the road condition map and the road condition table-report.

Tips for winter travel
Don't crowd the plow. Snow plow operators may need to stop or move quickly to avoid a stranded vehicle. Plows moving in high winds can create a snow cloud, severely limiting visibility, and the operator may not be able to see you due to blind spots.

Before driving. Get the snow or ice off the vehicle, including the roof. Check your battery, wiper blades, tires, tire jack, antifreeze and lights. Keep the gas tank at least half-full.

Carry an emergency kit that includes a small shovel; a bag of rock salt, sand or cat litter; a scraper and brush; a flashlight with extra batteries; jumper cables; blankets; and a first-aid kit.

When driving. Don't use cruise control, allow extra room for stopping distance, turn your lights on, know the condition of your brakes and be aware that road conditions can change quickly. Stick with the main roads as long as you can rather than detouring onto secondary routes, which won't get as much attention from plows and emergency vehicles.

In Metro. While waiting on outdoor Metrorail platforms, remember this is our first winter in which the trains are required to pull to the front of the platform, exposing more of the train -- and more of you -- to the elements. Platform paving tiles can be slippery.

Travel safely!

Update (Noon):Police report that the scene has been cleared. The suspicious package was packaging material that had fallen from a truck. Be alert for residual delays in the area.

Original post: A suspicious package in the vicinity of the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue has traffic in the area snarled. Trafficland reports that a police and fire investigation is under way, and that Massachusetts Avenue is blocked between 15th and 13th streets NW.

Motorists should try alternative routes. Some people near the scene have reported success navigating streets south of the incident and using K or I streets as alternates.

New York Avenue NE
The D.C. Department of Transportation plans to close two lanes of New York Avenue NE for work on the Ninth Street Bridge each night this week.

Two lanes on the westbound side of New York Avenue will be closed to traffic each night, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The remaining lanes will be shifted so that there will be two lanes open to traffic in each direction.

There will be additional, intermittent lane closures each night, for about 15 minutes at a time, to avoid setting steel girders in place over moving traffic, officials said.

The work should be completed by Saturday, DDOT said.

For more information on the work being done along the New York Avenue corridor, visit DDOT's project Web site.

Metrorail
Metro warns that some customers on the Red, Blue and Orange lines should add at least 20 to 30 minutes of travel time during their nighttime travel as the transit agency performs maintenance work, including replacing rail fasteners that stabilize tracks and replacing concrete slabs beneath rails.

Red Line: Trains will share one track between Medical Center and Grosvenor-Stratmore stations from 8 p.m. through closing. Customers should add at least 20 minutes to their travel times.

Blue Line: Trains will share one track between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant stations from 9:30 p.m. through closing. Add at least 30 minutes.

Orange Line:Trains will share one track between Cheverly and New Carrollton stations from 9:30 p.m. through closing. Add at least 20 minutes.

Metrobus
Metrobus routes 93, 94 and W6 are being rerouted due to a D.C. Department of Transportation resurfacing project on Stanton Road SE between Suitland Parkway and Alabama Avenue SE.

The work will require Metrobus routes 93 (Congress Heights Station/Ellington Bridge Line) and 94 (Anacostia Station/Stanton Road Line) to be rerouted on their northbound trips. The W6 (Anacostia Station/Naylor Road Parking Loop) will return to the Anacostia Metro station at Suitland Parkway and not serve the Jasper Road loop. Metro says this service will be covered by the W8 route with additional service as needed.

Chain Bridge Road
Nighttime gas main work will close several lanes in the area of Chain Bridge Road (Route 1230 southbound between Tysons Boulevard and International Drive.

A day of rain followed by gusty winds this morning (continuing through the day) are a bad combination for commuters. Here's some of what's happening in Maryland and Virginia this morning:

UPDATE: Montgomery County Police say US 29 remains closed at Lockwood Drive. Traffic continues to be diverted at New Hampshire Avenue, while Pepco works to repair the power outages.

MARYLAND
- US 29 South is closed at Lockwood Drive due to a downed tree and wires, blocking a major avenue to the Beltway.
- MD 28 was closed in both directions at MD 109 earlier this morning, and MD 109 is still closed to eastbound traffic due to a downed tree and wires.
- There's an accident in Damascus on Woodfield Road/124, in front of Woodfield Elementary School.
- An accident at Connecticut Avenue and Randolph Road.

VIRGINIA
There's a lot of stuff already wrapped up in Virginia, but it's leaving residual delays:
- I-395 North at King Street and 14th Street Bridge had delays due to accidents/disabled vehicles.
- I-66, the exit to Route 50, also had a delay, but the vehicles involved were moved to the shoulder.
- I-495 South at Braddock Road had delays due to a disabled vehicle, and even after it was moved the delays remained earlier this morning.
- The GW Parkway had delays northbound due to a disabled vehicle at Turkey Run, but that was moved and cleared up.

Reminder: The National Christmas Tree lighting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the northeast quadrant of the Ellipse, south of the White House. Many people really enjoy this moment, but many commuters absolutely hate it. Scheduled by obscure tradition for the peak of the afternoon rush hour in the middle of a metropolis, the tree lighting disrupts traffic for hours.

In case you've forgotten -- and few commuters do, once they've experienced it -- here's a review of what you're in for:

No driving
From about 4:30 p.m. till the end of the ceremonies, no traffic will be allowed on 15th Street NW between E Street/Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue or on 17th Street NW between Constitution and New York avenues.

No parking
From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., no parking will be allowed on 15th Street NW between New York and Constitution avenues. No parking will be allowed on 17 th Street NW between Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues.

That's the plan, but these restrictions are subject to change without notice. (That happens a lot in events like this. Something we expected would be closed is open and -- more likely -- something we thought would be open is closed.

The openings and closings are by no means the full story. Traffic delays ripple out from the street closings and all the pedestrian traffic causes further delays. There's no reason you have to like this, but for safety's sake, be patient while you are in it.

The District Department of Transportation says its traffic control officers will be out at the 15th and 17th Street intersections, but that avoiding the area is a much better choice for drivers.

Metrobus detours
Should I take transit, you ask? Metrorail, yes. But Metrobus will just be a mess. The transit authority says that the ceremony may affect service on 37 bus routes between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. That means delays, detours and terminal changes as the buses try to work there way through traffic. (This is insane. The kids would enjoy the lighting just as much on a Saturday or Sunday and the adults wouldn't be lit up like Rudolph's nose.)

These are the bus routes likely to be affected:
3Y, 11Y, 13A, 13B, 16Y, 32, 36, 37, 38B, 39, 42, 43, 52, 53, 54, 80, D1, D3, D5, D6, G8, H1, L1, L2, N2, N3, N4, P1, P17, P19, S1, S2, S4, S9, W13, X1 and X2.

Changes in the starting points of these routes are likely:
-- Routes H1, L1 and N3 will begin in the vicinity of Potomac Park.
-- Routes P1 and X1 will start at Federal Triangle Metrorail station.
-- Routes 11Y, G8, P17, P19, W13 and X2 will start at Franklin Square.

Routes 13A and 13B from the Pentagon will operate like this:
-- The 13A will operate to and from Virginia Avenue and 19th Street NW via Constitution Avenue and Memorial Bridge.
-- The 13B will operate to and from Federal Triangle Metrorail station via Independence Avenue NW and the 14th Street Bridge.

Metro may also detour the 32, 36, 37 and 39 routes via 13th Street NW, depending on traffic conditions. Bus service north of K Street NW will be maintained. Riders would be better off walking through the traffic congestion to board buses at stops on K or north of it for Routes 42, 43, L2, N2, N4, S2, S4 and S9.

Don't bother using the Next Bus system to find out when any of those buses will arrive at your stop. The system will have no way to factor in the impact of the traffic congestion on the arrival times.

A water main break on 22nd Street N.W. has closed that street between F street and Virginia Avenue. Eric Hauser of the District Department of Transportation recommends 23rd Street as the most viable alternative for commuters, though he cautions to watch for increased automotive and pedestrian traffic on that street. The D.C. Water and Sewage Authority reports that crews will be repairing the broken 8-inch water main, and notes that some in the area will see their water service disrupted. They estimate that the problem should be resolved by 1 p.m.