(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) After a week of ineffectual laps around the Beltway, the “People’s Convoy” is now jamming up part of I-395 in Arlington.
The convoy, which features a mix of big rigs and personal vehicles, is intended to protest the Covid-related government mandates. It received considerable media attention last week but didn’t do much to disrupt traffic.
Today, however, it is heading into D.C. by way of Arlington and I-395, and creating traffic headaches and a lot of noise in the process.
Traffic cameras show flag-adorned protest vehicles moving at a snail’s pace in the main northbound lanes of I-395, approaching the 14th Street Bridge. Virginia State Police vehicles can also be seen, monitoring the demonstration. The northbound I-395 HOV lanes over the Potomac remain open and seem to be flowing freely.
Public safety watchdog Dave Statter, from his perch in Pentagon City, reports a non-stop honking of horns from the convoy.
Some of the backup can perhaps be explained by traffic restrictions in the District. Authorities there have blocked access from I-395 to 12th and 14th streets “to keep traffic moving safely through the area.”
“Motorists should expect traffic delays in reaching your destination,” the District said in a tweet shortly before 2 p.m. “If possible, you should consider delaying travel on these routes or use alternative transportation such as Metrorail.”
Metro, meanwhile, said the numerous bus lines heading to and from the Pentagon may be delayed due to the convoy.
As of 3 p.m., just over an after the convoy first reached the Pentagon City area, traffic was still slow approaching the Potomac crossings and in D.C.
Delays as a result of the convoy remain on NB I-395 approaching the 14th Street Bridge. It gets especially slow around the Pentagon. https://t.co/g1bwhF6DF7 https://t.co/GLsXOF4HJF
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) March 14, 2022
More via Twitter:
Watch: It's been extremely noisy. @DCPoliceDept shut down 14th St & 12th St. access, slowing I-395 before the convoy's arrival. Still slowly passing my location near the Pentagon. @ARLnowDOTcom @WTOPtraffic @WTOP #TruckersConvoy2022 #traffic #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/61yLgQOmhB
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 14, 2022
They're here. Truck convoy on I-395N just before the 14th Street Bridge. Quite loud. Police have access to downtown DC blocked. @WTOPtraffic @WTOP @hhowardWTOP @ARLnowDOTcom #ConvoyForFreedom2022 #TruckersConvoy2022 #police pic.twitter.com/N66ib62k92
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 14, 2022
7A/7C/7M/7P/7W/7Y/8S/8W/8Z/10A/10E/16A/16C/16G/16H/16L/17B/17G/17H/17K/17L/17M/18G/18H/18J/18P/21A/21D/22A/22C/22F/28F/28G/29G Alert: Due to a 1st amendment demonstration, N/B on 395, buses entering and exiting Pentagon Trnst Cntr may experience possible delays and detours.
— Metrobus Info (@Metrobusinfo) March 14, 2022
(2/2) The Metropolitan Police Department has closed a number of streets and highway exits in order to keep traffic moving safely through the area. These rolling road closures are occurring in real-time as they are needed, and will be lifted as soon as they are no longer necessary
— Alert DC (@AlertDC) March 14, 2022
Wasn't able to download the video but it is so loud https://t.co/Lcig5ck9SZ https://t.co/jA9alM7TrI pic.twitter.com/qdxmu42X1h
— PoPville (@PoPville) March 14, 2022