Archive: March 2007
Neighbors Worry About New Stadium Traffic
Just days before the Nationals begin their final season at RFK Stadium, the baseball team's soon-to-be neighbors in Southwest Washington met last night with the officials and consultants who are trying to make this new relationship work. Stadium design sketch released by District. The neighbors are worried about the baseball fans, and many find no solace in the District's experience in arranging the flow of the baseball traffic to and from RFK. They talk about differences in geography and fear that on game days they will become prisoners in their homes as traffic moves toward the new stadium. They worry about the safety of their children. Concern extends up into the southern portion of Capitol Hill. Those folks are worried that some baseball-bound drivers might choose to park north of the Southeast-Southwest Freeway and walk down to the stadium on South Capitol Street. The government officials and consultants did a...
By | March 30, 2007; 10:48 AM ET | Comments (9)
South Capitol Bridge Weekend Work
From 10 a.m. Friday until about 4 a.m. on Monday, the Frederick Douglass Bridge will be undergoing repairs. All inbound lanes of South Capitol Street across the Anacostia River will be closed, but the District says they will be reopened in time for Monday morning's rush period. Inbound drivers will be directed to follow detours on Interstate 295 North to the 11th Street Bridge so they can continue westbound trips. Traffic heads across Frederick Douglass Bridge. (Mark Gail -- The Washington Post) This is the fourth in a series of weekend bridge closures of all lanes in one direction. The District Department of Transportation says the work is in preparation for the really big project this summer, in which the bridge will be completely shut down for July and August. The transportation department says that the first three closures, on the weekends of Jan. 26, Feb. 9 and March 9,...
By | March 29, 2007; 9:27 AM ET | Comments (0)
Builder Picked for Intercounty Connector
Maryland has picked a contractor to build the western part of the intercounty connector, even though an environmenal lawsuit seeking to block the project is unresolved. Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Tuesday that the state has chosen a joint venture called Intercounty Constructors of Annapolis Junction to design and build the first phase of the much-debated highway under a $478.7 million contract. That will cover seven miles of the connector, between Interstate 370 and Georgia Avenue. That portion is scheduled to be complete in late 2010, according to the State Highway Administration. The segments east of Georgia Avenue would open in late 2011 or 2012. The state has broken up the highway job into five contracts in a project that wil eventually create an 18.8 mile highway connecting the I-270 corridor in the west to the I-95/Route1 corridor in the east. Intercounty Constructors combines Granite Construction Company, Corman Construction Inc. and...
By | March 28, 2007; 9:27 AM ET | Comments (0)
Accident Blocks Southbound I-95 Lanes in Va.
All southbound lanes of Interstate 95 are closed due to an accident involving a jackknifed tractor-trailer near the Route 123 exit in Woodbridge. According to Maptuit, delays begin at Newington. Southbound traffic is being forced to exit onto Route 1. All northbound express and main lanes are open. UPDATE: All southbound lanes were reported reopened at 9:24 a.m....
By Kyle Balluck | March 27, 2007; 8:34 AM ET | Comments (0)
Kaine Proposes Changes to Transportation Bill
Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) today threw the transportation plan back at the General Assembly with major changes, but he said the Republican House speaker will back them as a compromise. Kaine said in a statement: "I am offering substantial amendments to the transportation legislation that will address three critical issues: ensuring that the regional plans in our two largest metropolitan areas are workable and acceptable to local elected officials; ensuring that rural areas get a fair share of transportation dollars; and ensuring that core services are protected and that the debt contained in the package is supported in a fiscally responsible manner. House Bill 3202, sponsored by Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and passed by the General Assembly, can be seen here. These are some highlights from Kaine about how he wants to amend it when the legislature reconvenes on April 4: -- Statewide Funding. Authorize $3 billion in...
By | March 26, 2007; 2:27 PM ET | Comments (1)
Drivers: How Much Information Is Enough?
A letter I received this morning raising a continuing concern of mine about how much information people need to successfully navigate this region. This one had to do with a Dr. Gridlock column item from Sunday about the new D.C. law barring motorists from passing stopped buses to make a right turn. (Third item: "Passing Buses.") But I could give you a second one from the weekend as well: Was there enough information about the National Marathon's potential impact on Saturday's traffic to help people make travel decisions? Many angry people said on Saturday that they had no idea it was coming. Sign on back of Metrobus warns of new law, among other things. (Robert Thomson) But here's what the letter-writer said in response to my column: Dear Dr. Gridlock: I don't feel you fully addressed Michael McConihe's question regarding the ticket he received in D.C. after he turned right...
By | March 26, 2007; 9:25 AM ET | Comments (0)
Kaine Signs Traffic Safety Bills
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine announced today that he has signed several bills on traffic safety that were passed by the General Assembly. One restores the red-light camera program for the jurisdictions that want it, another limits use of cell phones by young drivers and a third raises the required age for use of child restraint seats. Kaine has not acted yet on what many Virginia leaders regard as the big enchilada, House Bill 3202, which would change the way the state finances its transportation improvements. He's likely to amend that one next week and send it back for review by the assembly. These are the specifics on the new laws Kaine signed: -- House Bill 1778 (sponsoredby De. John A. Cosgrove)/ Senate Bill 829 (sponsored by Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis) give localities the option of installing photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals. Kaine said he may submit a technical amendment...
By | March 23, 2007; 3:12 PM ET | Comments (0)
Advisories on Weekend Travel Delays
Saturday has been a difficult day to get around in Washington, D.C. Many streets have been closed for the National Marathon, which began at 7 a.m. Saturday, and they won't be reopened until 2 p.m. You can see a map of the route here. Update: Post staff writer Amit Paley is working on a story for Sunday's paper about the disruptive effects of the marathon on travelers. Please tell him what you experienced. You can reach him either by calling the City Desk at 202-334-7300 or by sending an e-mail to paleya@washpost.com. A traffic alert from the District Department of Transportation says only five streets are open to allow you in and out of the marathon zone during this time period: -- E Street Expressway (over the Roosevelt Bridge) -- K Street, NW (east and west through Georgetown) -- Massachusetts Avenue NW (over Rock Creek Parkway) -- Rhode Island Avenue...
By | March 23, 2007; 9:33 AM ET | Comments (11)
Expect Severe Overcrowding at Union Station
Amtrak is experiencing a signal problem at Union Station which is preventing all Camden and Brunswick trains from arriving or leaving the stop, according to the Maryland Transit Authority. "Brunswick train 891 is over 30 minutes late and Camden train 846 is still in Washington. We expect severe overcrowding in the waiting areas at Union Station," a MTA alert said....
By Liz Heron | March 22, 2007; 5:20 PM ET | Comments (0)
Traffic Safety Challenges for Drivers, Walkers
At 7th and Pennsylvania, which recently became ground zero for our concerns about traffic safety, you can see the four corners of the issue. The broad junction of Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Washington is daunting for pedestrians. (Robert Thomson) Traffic control officers from the D.C. Department of Public Works, those people who earn their living by standing between us and oncoming vehicles, were directing the flow through that enormous intersection where two pedestrians were fatally struck by a Metrobus last month. Metro and the District government can put up signs and retrain bus drivers, but there's nothing as effective for both pedestrians and drivers as a person with a whistle and a pair of arms controlling the rush hour flow. Traffic officer gets the attention of pedestrians and drivers. (Robert Thomson) To reach the intersection, I took the new MetroExtra bus down Georgia Avenue into downtown. Along...
By | March 22, 2007; 8:29 AM ET | Comments (18)
Campaign For Pedestrian Safety Begins
Many of the region's political and law enforcement leaders were at Thomas Circle in Washington today to renew their annual "Street Smart" campaign for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Of late, pedestrian accidents have provided their own unfortunate reminders that we need to be alert and aware of our surroundings as we drive, ride and walk. But the problem didn't suddenly arise in the past few weeks: One out of every four people killed on the region's roads was walking or biking when the accident occurred. Police Chiefs Kathy Lanier of the District and Thomas Manger of Montgomery attended campaign launch. (Robert Thomson) There are many letters in the Dr. Gridlock mailbag from people concerned about what's going on. Some are proposing law enforcement solutions. Usually, that means they want to see more law enforcement, like more ticketing of cellphone-using drivers in the District. On the other hand, I did get...
By | March 20, 2007; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (10)
New Metrobus Rolls Out
The bus was a new style, with a new number. The driver told boarding passengers that it made "limited stops." An electronic sign behind him displayed the name of each stop. That electronic female voice announced the name of each stop. But every half mile or so, an angered or alarmed passenger would rush up to the driver of the new MetroExtra bus operating along Georgia Avenue to tell him that he had missed the stop. "That's not my stop," he would respond. New MetroExtra bus waits downtown to begin northbound trip. (Robert Thomson) Tough being a bus driver in ordinary city driving, but this was the first day of a new service, the Georgia Avenue express created by Metro and the District Department of Transportation. Bus drivers, unlike train operators, interact a lot with their passengers as well as with traffic. I saw two do a pretty good job...
By | March 20, 2007; 6:06 AM ET | Comments (8)
New Express Bus Starts Today
Metro and the District Department of Transportation launched a new type of express bus service between the city and the Maryland suburbs this morning. You can ride the Metro Extra along Georgia Avenue and 7th Street NW between Silver Spring and the Gallery Place and Navy Memorial stations downtown during rush periods. It's one of those service innovations that I think gives us hope for creating a regional transportation system with many options for travelers. These new blue express buses will operate Monday through Friday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Click here to see a route map. The buses will supplement the regular runs of the 70 and 71 Metrobuses along that corridor, but they will skip a lot of stops. The Metrobus schedule for a trip between Silver Spring and Gallery Place calls for a 58 minute trip. On the Metro Extra bus,...
By | March 19, 2007; 8:58 AM ET | Comments (1)
Metrobus Problems at Friendship Heights
During a Live Online discussion Monday, a reader asked about bus service changes in Northwest Washington related to the problems with the low ceiling at the Friendship Heights terminal. Later, Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel wrote in with an explanation of some temporary measures Metro has taken and how they will play out. I thought I'd post that for everyone. This was the reader's question. Friendship Heights, D.C.: There seem to be unpublicized bus service reductions between Friendship Heights and Tenleytown. Several times I've been on Wisconsin Ave and gotten on a northbound 30-series bus, labeled for Friendship Heights, and the driver stopped at Tenleytown, saying his route ended there because he was driving a natural gas bus. The bus schedule doesn't indicate that any runs stop at Tenleytown, and neither does Metro's Web site. Why can't they continue until the stop right before the FH bus terminal, or barring that,...
By | March 13, 2007; 4:55 PM ET | Comments (0)
Questions About Traffic Cameras
The District should suspend its traffic camera enforcement program until a review can assure drivers that all the cameras are working properly. The public must have confidence in this technology, especially now that Montgomery County is launcing a speed control program that uses cameras to enforce speed limits and Virginia is about to re-establish it's red-light camera enforcement program. In today's Post, Nikita Stewart and Yolanda Woodlee reported that many of the District's red-light cameras are broken. Meanwhile, Miranda Spivack reported that Montgomery County and several municipalities have begun a 30-day testing period during which warning notices will be sent to speeders who come within range of the new cameras. (Montgomery already uses cameras to catch red-light runners.) I believe these programs are important aids to police and the public in controlling two of the main causes of traffic accidents. But they not only have to work, they also have...
By | March 13, 2007; 6:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
Road and Transit Developments
Drivers and riders, here's a roundup of some developments that could affect your commutes in the next few weeks. Metro elevators out: The platform elevators at McPherson Square will be out of service for the next 10 weeks for a modernization. Free shuttle buses will be available upon request. Metrorail riders who normally enter or exit at the station and are unable to use the escalator can call 202-962-1825 in advance of their trips so a shuttle bus can be waiting to take them to the Farragut West Station.. -- Bus route extended: The downtown Washington Circulator bus route will be extended to replace the Georgetown Metro Connection, or "Blue Bus," on the Foggy Bottom line. You can find a Circulator map please at www.dccirculator.com This is a six-month trial, to run through Sept. 30. The Blue Bus will continue running its route between Roslyn and Dupont Circle. -- Route...
By | March 12, 2007; 8:03 AM ET | Comments (0)
Weekend Work at Douglass Bridge
The Frederick Douglass Bridge, which takes South Capitol Street traffic over the Anacostia River, will be under repair again this weekend. The inbound lanes will remain closed from 10 a.m. Friday to as late as 4 a.m. Monday, but will be back in business for the Monday morning rush period. Driver heading toward downtown Washington will be directed to follow detours on Interstate 295 North to the 11th Street Bridge. This is the third in a series of weekend closings of all lanes in one direction. The main event in the rehabilitation program won't come until July and August, when the bridge will be completely shut down. That's when the northernmost portion of the bridge will be lowered to become an at-grade roadway with a new intersection at Potomac Avenue. The plan is to open up the neighborhood, where the new Nationals stadium is being built, and create a better...
By | March 7, 2007; 1:15 PM ET | Comments (3)
Snow Advisories for Commuters
The District is deploying 150 trucks and 450 people to work clearing the roads. The top priorities will be major roadways, bridges and overpasses. The next set of targets will be secondary roads and neighborhood streets. Maryland keeps track of traffic alerts on this page. Virginia posts a road conditions map. You can see a map showing how well the District plows are doing during the storm or get an update on traffic conditions throughout the region on our Web site. "We will do our part in treating roadways -- and motorists need to do their part in driving carefully or taking public transportation instead of driving," Emeka Moneme, the District transportation director, said in a statement. He urged city residents and businesses to clean the sidewalks and clear catch basin openings near their property to keep pedestrians safe and also to prevent flooding once the snow melts. District residents...
By | March 6, 2007; 4:54 PM ET | Comments (0)
Who's More Patient?
Are drivers more patient during travel delays than train riders? I was speaking with Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson and some of her officers last week to answer some reader letters. In an aside, she said she thought drivers stuck in traffic tended to be more tolerant of the delays than Metrorail riders. We talked a little about why that might be. (She wasn't endorsing delays of any sort.) I'll offer some thoughts, and I'd like to hear yours about whether there is a difference and if so, why. Information is key. In the car, you're in your own space, with a source of information and entertainment. Sometimes, I hear from drivers who are frustrated not only by the delays but also by the lack of information about them on the radio. They don't like sitting in slow traffic, but it's somehow more tolerable if they know what's going...
By | March 5, 2007; 7:59 AM ET | Comments (33)
Accident Causes Congestion at Branch Avenue
Lanes have reopened on both the inner and outer loop of the Capital Beltway after an accident involving three tractor trailers -- one leaking fuel -- shut down I-495 at the Branch Avenue exit, according to a Maptuit traffic alert. Commuters can still expect delays before Route 210 on the inner loop, and from Central Avenue on the outer loop....
By Liz Heron | March 2, 2007; 5:07 PM ET | Comments (0)
Weekend Work on Roads and Rails
Here are a few projects to keep in mind if you're driving or taking Metrorail this weekend. -- Whitehurst Freeway: The ramp that leads to the I-66 East exit will be closed for preventative maintenance and emergency repair from 7 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. The detour takes vehicles east on Whitehurst, right onto 27th Street, left onto I ("Eye") Street and then back to the freeway. (By the way, this work has nothing to do with the District's discussions about eventually tearing down the Whitehurst.) -- Metrorail: There's plenty of track work and train car testing affecting riders on the Blue, Yellow, Green and Orange lines this weekend. You can read all the details by clicking here. The situation likely to have the most impact on travelers is the rail switch reconstruction at Braddock Road Station. That will disrupt service on the Blue and Yellow lines from 10...
By | March 2, 2007; 8:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
Citizen Impact on Transportation Issues
In the past 24 hours, I've visited two groups of your fellow citizens who were working to make sure the Deciders in our transportation agencies hear what you think. It's a tricky business in which handfuls of people invest vast amounts of their time while the rewards remain unclear. Last night, the Metro Riders Advisory Council held a session exploring how it could work with the new transit budget proposal to advance the interests of people who ride the trains and buses. Sounds like a pretty good idea, right? Three people showed up to offer their ideas to the council. If they're going to have real clout with the Metro Board of Directors during the budget discussions over the next couple of months, the riders' council members need to hear your ideas. This is a weird little period in which Metro has put its proposals to increase fares and cut...
By | March 1, 2007; 2:23 PM ET | Comments (0)
