Archive: Events
Far Pavilion Roils Radiohead Fans
The anguished cries of Radiohead fans bounced around the Internet yesterday as many bemoaned the difficulties of reaching and leaving remote Nissan Pavilion in Bristow for the band's Sunday night concert. The severe rainstorm had a lot to do with it, but Mother Nature did not place an ampitheater for 25,000 people in the outer suburbs of Washington where the road network was inadequate and public transportation non-existent. Here's how one concert-goer described the Sunday night scene to Post reporters Lena Sun and Eric Weiss during their online discussion Monday: Fairfax, Va.: Wow, I will NEVER complain about Metro after an event again, compared to my Nissan Pavilion experience last night. We were in our car at 11 p.m. and did not get on the interstate until 1 a.m. It seemed like they routed everyone in circles getting out of there. Now I was planning for at least an hour...
By | May 13, 2008; 06:31 AM ET | Comments (68)
Traffic Restrictions End As Pope Leaves
The last of the week's traffic restrictions left town at 9 a.m. along with Pope Benedict XVI, who took off for New York from Andrews Air Force Base. Though there was a no parking zone on Massachusetts Avenue from Wisconsin Avenue to Observatory Circle and a one lane limitation on Massachusetts from Observatory Circle to 34th Street, all of that ended this morning. This week was an unusual challenge for our transportation system. So many days, so many locations. This wasn't another VIP going from place to place for closed meetings with other VIPs. This was a person people came from across the country to see. As a result, Metro was extra crowded and traffic backed up where streets were closed. But the plans worked out pretty well. The shutdown of the Douglass Bridge for Thursday's mass at Nationals Park slowed traffic but did create a memorable traffic jam. (That...
By | April 18, 2008; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (2)
Pope Traveling to Catholic University
Watch for rolling street closures as the pope travels across town to his final events in Washington this afternoon. At 5 p.m., Pope Benedict XVI addresses Catholic educators at Catholic University on Michigan Avenue, east of North Capitol Street in Brookland. At 6:30 p.m., meets with interfaith leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center at 3900 Harewood Road NE. There may be more passengers than usual on the Red Line heading for Brookland Station, near Catholic University. The Douglass Bridge and South Capitol Street have reopened for the afternoon commute. Friday: -- There are no papal events in the capital Friday. The pope will travel from the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue at Observatory Circle to Andrews Air Force Base during the morning rush. -- The no parking zone on Massachusetts Avenue from Wisconsin Avenue to Observatory Circle and the one lane limitation on Massachusetts from Observatory Circle...
By | April 17, 2008; 04:29 PM ET | Comments (1)
Watch for Afternoon Congestion
The exit from the papal mass at Nationals Park on South Capitol Street should create a surge of traffic and some additional crowding on Metrorail. But it shouldn't be as difficult as this morning's combination of commuters and worshipers. Crowd at Navy Yard Metro station, 8 o'clock this morning. (Thomson) Metro will maintain peak service through 7 p.m. (though the reduced fares remain in place until the afternoon rush). That should help a lot. And what I observed this morning gives me confidence in the transportation system for the rest of today. Because the Douglass Bridge was shut and the trains were bound to be crowded, I feared the worst. But what I saw this morning was far from the worst. Interstate 295 and Suitland Parkway were crowded near the junction that leads to the 11th Street Bridge, but I saw worse last July when the Douglass Bridge was shut...
By | April 17, 2008; 11:25 AM ET | Comments (17)
Metro Handles Stadium-Bound Crowds
Among the hundreds of people crammed into Green Line trains this morning, it was easy to distinguish between the worshipers bound for the papal mass and the commuters. The worshipers were smiling. Crowd covers Navy Yard Station platform this morning. (Thomson) Their attitude helped ease some very crowded trips on Metrorail. Navy Yard Station, where passengers got off for the short walk to mass at Nationals Park, was crowded but calm. It took about five minutes to clear the platform after a train arrived from downtown, compared to about three minutes before recent Nationals baseball games. The worst crowding I saw was at the L'Enfant Plaza, where the platform was lined at least four deep with riders transfering from the Orange and Blue lines. My Green Line train already was jammed with standees when it arrived at L'Enfant shortly before 7:30 a.m. Metro staffers on the platform helped ease the...
By | April 17, 2008; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (17)
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...
By | April 16, 2008; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (4)
First Popemobile Procession Done
The pope's procession moved quickly west along Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, but traffic congestion lingers behind. The cameras on trafficland.com show some downtown intersections clear while others remain jammed with traffic. Next up: Afternoon rush hour traffic up North Capitol Street will have a very difficult time in the Brookland neighborhood. The pope meets with U.S. bishops at the National Shrine on Michigan Avenue in Brookland, just east of North Capitol Street at 5:30 p.m. If that's your normal northbound commuting route, you might be better off sliding west to 13th, 14th or 16th streets NW, or heading east along New York Avenue to the Baltimore Washington Parkway. But that's not to say any route will be clear sailing this afternoon. The city is very crowded with cars and pedestrians. The pope will cut across town to reach the Brookland area, so watch for those rolling closures in...
By | April 16, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Email a Comment
Popemobile Parade on Pennsylvania Ave.
Pennsylvania Avenue NW is clear of traffic and lined with police and spectators awaiting the Popemobile procession. Pope Benedict XVI's route takes up west on Pennsylvania through Washington Circle, which is closed to pedestrian cross traffic. He'll go up Rock Creek Parkway to Massachusetts Avenue NW before arriving at the Vatican Embassy on Observatory Circle. Unless you're going to see the pope, that western sector of Washington is a place to avoid for the next couple of hours....
By | April 16, 2008; 11:59 AM ET | Email a Comment
Crowding Likely on Trains, Streets
Here's what thousands of people will be trying to get to or avoid today: 10:30 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI, who is staying at the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue NW, meets with President Bush at the White House. Noon Popemobile procession from the White House west on Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Washington Circle, to Rock Creek Parkway to Massachusetts Avenue to the embassy. 5:30 p.m. The pope meets with U.S. bishops at the National Shrine on Michigan Avenue in Brookland, just east of North Capitol Street. So the traffic hotspots are Massachusetts Avenue NW, Pennsylvania Avenue NW and the North Capitol Street/Michigan Avenue area, but expect the effects to ripple out from those corridors. Transit is likely to be crowded today. Many commuters who have the option will turn to Metro, because of the likelihood of congestion in central Washington during the pope's visit. Many visitors also will be parking...
By | April 16, 2008; 05:28 AM ET | Comments (14)
Motorcades Done For Day
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived at the Vatican Embassy on Observatory Circle, and that's it for his travels today. However, Massachusetts Avenue is one one lane each way in the vicinity of the circle and it's best to avoid that area through Friday morning, when the pope leaves for New York....
By | April 15, 2008; 05:50 PM ET | Comments (3)
Avoid Mass Ave This Evening
With Pope Benedict XVI scheduled to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base at 4 p.m., there's likely to be some extra traffic congestion late in this evening's rush period. The exact route the pope will take into the District has not been made public, for security reasons, but it's a good bet there will be congestion on Massachusetts Avenue around Observatory Circle, where the Vatican Embassy is located. In fact, since parts of Massachusetts Avenue will be restricted during the next few days, it would be best to avoid that area from this afternoon through Friday morning. From 5 p.m. today through 9 a.m. Friday: -- No truck traffic will be allowed on Massachusetts Avenue between Wisconsin Avenue and Observatory Circle. -- Massachusetts Avenue between Observatory Circle and 34th Street will be one lane in each direction. If that's part of your regular commuting route, try Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue...
By | April 15, 2008; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (8)
Officials Warn of Congestion
With a world spiritual leader visiting so many places in the capital over so many days, District Transportation Director Emeka Moneme rightly refers to the "unknown unknowns" in describing what planners confront today through Friday morning. Despite all the interagency planning and the public awareness campaign, some transportation problem will occur during the pope's visit that we're not talking about right now. So if you can work from home, Wednesday and Thursday are the days to do it. Otherwise, Metrorail is your best bet. But Metro General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. offered this advice for both commuters and visitors: "Come early" and "understand it will be crowded." Moneme and Catoe spoke to reporters outside WTOP radio this morning, after an hour-long discussion of transit issues, which you can hear by using this link. Here's some of the advice they're giving out today. Train riders who park at Metro stations...
By | April 15, 2008; 01:32 PM ET | Comments (11)
Cherry Blossom Parade on Saturday
Dear Dr. Gridlock: I have a ticket for a play at the Lansburgh Theater, 450 7th St. NW, on Saturday at 2 p.m. As the Cherry Blossom Parade starts at 10 a.m. and lasts to at least 12 p.m. rain or shine, what is the best way to get to the theater and avoid the parade traffic and crowds. Is it better to drive or to use Metro? Elaine Horsfield I'd take Metro -- especially because you've got two stops so close to the theater on 7th Street. There's Archives-Navy Memorial at 7th and Pennsylvania, and there's Gallery Place-Chinatown with an exit at 7th and F streets. They're both within two blocks of the theater. Also, there's no track work scheduled for this weekend, so you should not experience any train delays....
By | April 11, 2008; 06:45 AM ET | Email a Comment
Unpleasant Epilogue to Movie
If you're going to this week's outdoor film festival at Strathmore Hall in North Bethesda, remember that the movies are free, but the parking in the Metro garage is not. Dear Dr. Gridlock: Here is a complaint I just sent to Metro. I was too annoyed to send it Saturday, but I've cooled down enough to be coherent now. "From about 10:40 p.m. until 11:23 p.m. Friday night, I was trapped in the parking garage at Grovsenor-Strathmore station. Someone who walked to the exit to see what was going on said that all 4 exit gates were blocked by cars that did not have [SmarTrip] cards. I don't know how many people were inconvenienced -- well over a hundred from what I could see. You need to authorize parking employees to let cars out -- even if you lose a few parking fares -- rather than hold numerous customers hostage...
By | August 15, 2007; 05:02 AM ET | Comments (33)
Metro Preparing for D.C. United Crowd
The 7 p.m. soccer game at RFK Stadium between D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy is a sellout, in anticipation of the only Washington appearance this season by the Galaxy's David Beckham. So even though it's August, the evening commute may be crowded for many. Metro, which has gotten used to handling the crowds for Nationals baseball at RFK, has made plans to transport many of tonight's 45,000 soccer fans: There will be extra trains, more Metro staffers and police to direct people and answer questions and a free shuttle bus service from outside the stadium to Union Station after the game. Metro's afternoon rush service will begin at 3 p.m. In case you just go for the big games and aren't a regular fan, the closest stop is Stadium-Armory Station on the Blue and Orange lines. (Here's a link to the rail system map.) The exit closest to...
By | August 9, 2007; 05:12 AM ET | Comments (22)
Transit, Traffic Lessons from RFK Opener
There was a moment yesterday when I thought I'd regret having recommending Metro as the way to get to the Nationals opener. It came while standing on the platform at Metro Center at about 12:15 p.m. The platform was packed. The trains were packed. When the first train pulled in, the people on the platform spread out in a solid phalanx across the doorways, preventing passengers from exiting the packed cars. After those inside had broken free, there were only a few seconds for people to board before the doors closed. And as you know, they do close, despite the best efforts of some would-be Sampsons to pull them apart. I looked at the electronic board. First thought was that the arrival times were too far apart and the trains should have been eight cars rather than six. When the next train pulled in, it was as jammed as the...
By | April 3, 2007; 08:35 AM ET | Comments (37)
Getting To Nationals Game Today
Whether you're going to the Nationals home opener or the cherry blossoms, this would be a good time to get on a train and leave the car. For those reasons, it's also a test of Metro's ability to satisfy its customers. Weeks like this stress the transit system, but look for several improvements in service today. Metro will operate two express trains, skipping some stops to get fans to the game at RFK Stadium for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Florida Marlins. One Orange Line express leaves the Vienna Station at 12:14 p.m., and one Blue Line express departing Franconia-Springfield Station at 12:04 p.m. Each train will operate as an express to Rosslyn, then make local stops to Metro Center, then operate express to L'Enfant Plaza, then express to Stadium-Armory Station. For non-expressers, Metro's online Trip Planner is helpful in calculating the best route and the time it will...
By | April 2, 2007; 08:36 AM ET | Comments (8)
Halloween Driving Tips
When I was an education reporter years ago, teachers told me that the kids' favorite holiday was Halloween. It beat Thanksgiving, Christmas Hannuka and everything else. And it wasn't the candy, the teachers said. It was the dressing up and being someone, or something, other than yourself. In the process, kids can forget who and where they really are. Then it's up to us to watch out for them. Tonight's rush hour will combine several dangerous factors: Parents will be rushing home, we're still not used to driving in the afternoon dark and some of the children will be out already. Leaves blowing across the streets create confusion. -- Be extra alert when you're pulling in and out of driveways, even in areas that don't normally get a lot of foot traffic. -- Pay attention what's happening on the sidewalks and watch for children darting across the streets. Watch especially...
By | October 31, 2006; 08:21 AM ET | Comments (12)
Triple Header Sunday
This Sunday will be quite a day in Washington sports, and perhaps also in Washington traffic. The Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes in an exhibition hockey game at 1 p.m. at the Verizon Center. The Nationals end the 2006 baseball season with a game against the New York Mets at 1 p.m. at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.The Redskins host the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedEx Field at 4:15 p.m. Metro expects crowds in the rail system throughout the afternoon, especially during the middle part of the day, as the 1 p.m. events conclude and people go to the 4:15 p.m. Redskins game. (Maybe a double-header for some?) The Blue and Orange lines are likely to be particularly crowded. Weekend track maintenance could also be a factor....
By | September 27, 2006; 06:15 AM ET | Comments (1)
Football at FedEx Monday Night
The Redskins will play the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night at FedExField in their regular season opener. Game time is 7 p.m. Metro has advice for fans on getting to the game, but I'd also like to hear from people who have driven to FedEx. What special challenges arise from a night game on a weekday? Is getting to the opening game the most difficult event of the season, because a certain percentage of fans are new to that trip? And has anyone who has traveled by transit encountered difficulties with the service, particularly after the game? Here's what Metro advises: -- Monday evening's rush hour is likely to be extra crowded because of the game. The subway system will remain open till 1 a.m. After the game, Metro will have up to 14 additional trains available on the Blue and Orange lines to ease congestion at the stations near...
By | September 8, 2006; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (8)
