Watch for Wilson Bridge Traffic
Avoid the Wilson Bridge this morning. All the lanes are open, but lots of drivers are gawking at the setup for today's dedication ceremony on the new span.
Camera views show very heavy traffic on both sides of the Beltway leading up to the bridge. Once drivers get past the bridge, traffic is fine. (Our traffic page includes camera views and incident reports.)
The ceremony, dedicating the second span of the bridge, is scheduled for late this morning. Drivers on the already-opened span, which right now carries all of the Beltway traffic, won't be able to see the ceremony. They're looking at a bunch of tents, chairs and TV trucks.
While the dedication ceremony is today, the new span won't open till the end of the month. There are no changes in traffic patterns today, just rubbernecking congestion.
The dedication ceremony for the first new span also occured on a Thursday in May, back in 2006. That was a bit more spectacular, involving the raising and lowering of the drawbridge.
If you're not at the bridge today, here's what you're missing, besides a traffic jam: A high school band from Maryland and choir from Virginia will perform, Woodrow Wilson's Pierce-Arrow will be the first vehicle to cross the new span, Sen. John W. Warner will turn the bridge's final bolt into place and the D.C. Air National Guard will fly over the river.
By |
May 15, 2008; 9:06 AM ET
Advisories
Previous: Northern Virginians Hear Kaine Plan |
Next: Ceremony Ends at Wilson Bridge
Posted by: BRILLIANT! | May 15, 2008 9:14 AM
Why on earth was this event not announced more prominently before this morning! Many people could have planned ahead, taking alternate routes or teleworking. And despite the local radio station's fixation on the 8-mile inner loop backup, the outer loop was no picnic, backed up to at least Van Dorn St.
Posted by: CB | May 15, 2008 9:25 AM
"Let's cause traffic on a Thursday with good weather for no real reason."
If the people driving past had any common sense, there wouldn't be a traffic backup. The setup for the ceremony can't be THAT interesting, yet at 7:28 Lisa Baden was reporting a backup extending to Branch Avenue. Recognizing that many drivers can't seem to resist the opportunity to stare at even the most uninteresting things, I have to wonder why this wasn't done on a weekend.
Posted by: | May 15, 2008 9:26 AM
Agree with 9:26 AM poster. When I heard about this on the radio this morning, I assumed that they had closed some portion of the roadway to have the ceremony, which sounded ridiculous. But if it's taking place on the span that isn't even open yet and no portion of the usable roadway is being blocked??? Then the backups are even more ridiculous - I think every driver needs to look in a mirror and they will see the main cause of traffic congestion in the DC area.
Posted by: GA | May 15, 2008 10:14 AM
The DC area is the rubbernecking capital of the world.
Posted by: dkf747 | May 15, 2008 10:31 AM
Ugh, more distracted drivers. Keep your freakin eyes on the road...not on the tents, not on the police car, not on the cell phone keypad....
Posted by: Woodley Park | May 15, 2008 11:21 AM
Even yesterday afternoon on the way home it was backed up to St Barnabas on the Inner Loop because people were gawking. 20 Minute delay!
Posted by: WA2CHI | May 15, 2008 11:32 AM
Beyond stupid
Posted by: | May 15, 2008 1:14 PM
Woot! A bandstand! I think I'll cause everyone behind me pain and force them to burn expensive gas by looking at the shiny-shinies.
Posted by: RppPolyp | May 15, 2008 1:34 PM
WTOP asked the MDOT spokewoman why the event was scheduled on a weekday instead of a weekend. MDOT's response: We scheduled it for Thursday at 11:00 AM so that the public could attend.
Posted by: jim titus | May 15, 2008 2:29 PM
"Why on earth was this event not announced more prominently before this morning!"
I been hearing about this up-coming event for at least a month (including in this blog). Where have you been?
Posted by: A different cb | May 15, 2008 2:30 PM
"I been hearing about this up-coming event for at least a month (including in this blog). Where have you been? "
I've been reading this blog, and was fully aware that the bridge is opening this month. What I expected was something like: "There will be a dedication ceremony on May 15 at 11:00am. Expect Delays." I didn't see that info posted until it was too late.
Posted by: CB | May 15, 2008 3:53 PM
I've never seen an area where a cop pulls over a used Nissan Sentra, not posing any sort of traffic hazard, and traffic backs up for 5 miles. GAWK, GAWK, GAWK...
Posted by: Caphcky | May 15, 2008 6:01 PM
Dr. G - please investigate the sad state of the Cabin John Parkway. The CJP is an important artery into and out of town for MD commuters. It is plagued with potholes, sinkholes, leaking water (onto the roadway) even in sunny weather, and almost no safety shoulders. Park or no park, the parkway needs to be maintained at a much higher level. thanks
Posted by: MDtoSEEveryday | May 25, 2008 7:05 AM
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.
Wow, they built a bridge. They need a ceremony for this? Waste of time, energy, gas and money. Let's cause traffic on a Thursday with good weather for no real reason. I love this place.