Prepare For Rare Traffic Event Thursday
Thursday morning's rush will be highly unusual, even for a region that takes a twisted pride in standing among the national leaders in traffic and transit congestion.
My concern is focused on events in Southeast Washington, but the impact on drivers and transit users will ripple out from there.
Tens of thousands of people will be trying to reach Nationals Park for the papal mass. Tens of thousands of drivers and Metro riders will be trying to get around them to reach their workplaces.
Planning Points
The Douglass Bridge and part of South Capitol Street near Nationals Park will be closed for security and logistics throughout the morning commute. The District Department of Transportation advises commuters to do what they did last summer when the bridge was shut for reconstruction.
The main detour for this major commuter route is the 11th Street Bridge. Alternative approaches from the east are East Capitol Street, Benning Road and New York Avenue. If you're heading for Virginia, consider the Wilson Bridge for this one morrning.
Veteran drivers, the resulting congestion probably will remind you of the first day of last summer's bridge shutdown. Many people will not have gotten the word, despite the recent publicity campaign. You'll see confused commuters and some trick driving.
If I'm right about that, Interstate 295 and the Suitland Parkway will likely be jammed. Keep right on both roadways for the approach to the 11th Street Bridge. Many drivers who learn about the congestion will bail out and fill your backup route. Many charter buses will be heading for the RFK Stadium lots to drop off worshipers taking shuttles to Nationals Park.
Taking Metrorail is a good idea, but adjust for these factors: Absolutely everybody in local transportation circles has been advising the crowd bound for Nationals Park to take Metro. Worshipers are coming from across the nation.
Spaces at the normally crowded parking garages and lots are likely to be gone extra early. The Green Line is the transit alternative for Douglass Bridge commuters, but it's also the route to Navy Yard Station, nearest Nationals Park.
On the plus side, Metro will be operating at peak service from the 5 a.m. opening till 7 p.m. Worshipers have been told to reach the stadium before 8:30 a.m., to clear security and get seated for the 10 a.m. to noon mass.
By |
April 16, 2008; 12:58 PM ET
Events
Previous: First Popemobile Procession Done |
Next: Update: The Wednesday Evening Commute
Posted by: Sam F. | April 16, 2008 3:59 PM
Tomorrow may be a good day to try Metrobus instead of rail for the morning commute.
Posted by: lrt | April 16, 2008 4:34 PM
Last time South Cap was a mess, I went all the way around on the Beltway to Central Avenue / East Capitol and came into the city that way. While it may have been a bit farther, it was smoothing sailing to RFK (and then across the Hill). Far less stressful than PA Avenue or the Suitland with a messed up bridge...
Posted by: Andrew | April 16, 2008 5:41 PM
Any clue how DC will be after the mass? I am driving into the Federal Triangle area for a 2:30pm meeting from Tyson's. I plan on leaving extra early, but i am wondering about motorcades, etc.
Posted by: Amanda | April 17, 2008 12:11 PM
Post a Comment
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Any idea whether the back entrance to Lot 8 at RFK will be open? I've searched EVERYWHERE (even called DC DOT, to no avail) but can't find this out. On the clickandpark.com site, it said to use the entrance off East Capitol Street. Coming from VA, though, I'd rather stay on 395 past Penn Ave and head in the back way (past Barney Circle). I wouldn't imagine that with so many people parking there they would intentionally create a bottleneck with an alternate already in place. Or I would hope they wouldn't be so short-sighted!
Help me, Dr. Gridlock, you're my [last] hope!