Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Water main break and possible sinkhole in Crystal City
(Updated at 10:05 a.m.) Police have closed the intersection of S. Eads Street and 18th Street S. in Crystal City after a water main break.
The break has reportedly caused some indentations in the roadway that firefighters fear could becoming full-blown sinkholes if driven over. As a result, roads approaching the normally busy intersection, one block from the Crystal City Metro station, are closed and traffic is being diverted.
It may be an extended closure given the necessary repairs, according to scanner traffic. Crews are reportedly hoping to reopen the intersection by the evening rush hour.
In the meantime, the break may cause water pressure problems in the area, which includes several hotels and apartment buildings.
Update: The break appears to be affecting water service for at least two nearby buildings including a hotel. No estimate yet on a completion time for repairs.
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) February 23, 2022
Closure due to crash on the GW Parkway (via Google Maps)
(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) Northbound lanes of the GW Parkway were closed before Key Bridge today due to a serious crash.
The crash happened shortly before 11:45 a.m. and reportedly involved a vehicle that ran off the side of the roadway and overturned, injuring several people.
Northbound traffic was at a near-standstill for nearly a mile, between the Roosevelt Bridge and the crash.
All lanes reopened by 1:45 p.m., according to WTOP.
CRASH WITH CRITICAL INJURY— northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington prior to Key Bridge. Auto off roadway on its side with 3 patients. One is a toddler who is critical. #VATraffic@ARLnowDOTcompic.twitter.com/qS00lM3AGB
LOCATION: NB George Washington Memorial Parkway / Key Bridge INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: All lanes are blocked between Memorial Circle and Key Bridge with incident and emergency response. Follow police directions in the area. Delays are approximat pic.twitter.com/C7ptaeDLah
Traffic on the Roosevelt Bridge at the exits for Route 50 and the GW Parkway in 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Three center lanes of the Roosevelt Bridge will be closed for four months due to emergency repairs, the D.C. transportation department announced Friday night.
Two outer lanes in each direction will remain open during the work. Vehicles heavier than 10 tons will be prohibited on the bridge during the work.
Officials caution that the lane closures will likely result in significant delays, particularly during rush hour.
The exact reason for the repairs was not given. The bridge, near Rosslyn, first opened in 1964.
More from a DDOT press release:
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises motorists that lane closures have been implemented along the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge for emergency repair work.
Starting at approximately 10:00 p.m. today, Friday, February 11, 2022, the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge will be closing three [3] middle lanes for emergency repair work for the next four months, weather permitting. The bridge, which is located between Washington, D.C. and Arlington County, Virginia, will continue to be accessible to vehicular traffic with two [2] outer lanes outbound and two [2] outer lanes inbound. The open lanes will be subject to a load restriction of ten [10] tons.
Commuters that use the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge to travel to and from Washington DC, are recommended to use alternate routes while repairs are being made. Motorists that travel through Teddy Roosevelt Bridge should plan ahead by allowing additional commute times, as heavy traffic is expected along the bridge and alternate routes.
Variable message signs have been deployed in the area to alert motorists of the lane closure and weight restrictions. Motorists traveling in this vicinity should be on the watch for changing traffic patterns and are encouraged to use alternate routes.
The lonely utility pole at Columbia Pike and S. Frederick Street in Sept. (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
The lonely utility pole protruding into a Columbia Pike intersection has not come down yet, the county confirms, despite assurances it was going to by the end of last year.
In September, ARLnow learned that an errant utility pole sitting a few feet from the sidewalk at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Frederick Street was scheduled to be removed. But that has yet to happen, due to at least one utility company not completing work to bury wires as part of the Columbia Pike multimodal project.
“Dominion Energy crews have completed removal of their overhead lines, with [the] exception of one property. Comcast’s contractor has completed removal of their overhead wires. Verizon is dealing with material shipment delays, which have deferred the process of scheduling their undergrounding work,” reads the county’s Jan. 6 project update. “When all three companies have removed their overhead wires, the utility poles along the roadway will be removed.”
The update on the website was made shortly after ARLnow reached out for more information based on a reader tip that the pole was still there.
There’s no timeline as to when the pole will be removed, a county spokesperson tells us.
The work may eventually result in the temporary closure of Columbia Pike lanes between the Arlington/Fairfax County line and the Four Mile Run Bridge during construction hours, they note.
In the fall of 2020, a traffic signal was installed at the intersection of S. Frederick Street and Columbia Pike near Arlington Mill. It was in response to a years-long request from residents and advocates to improve the intersection’s safety, which had seen a number of crashes and accidents over the years, including some involving pedestrians.
As part of that construction, the driveway to Arbor Heights — an affordable housing complex with an entrance right off Columbia Pike — was redone to align with S. Frederick Street. Previously, a cement island with a strip of sidewalk held the pole but that island was removed, leaving the pole all alone.
It’s surrounded by bollards and, though the county says it hasn’t received any complaints about it blocking or being dangerous to traffic, ARLnow has received several notes about it from concerned motorists.
A new underground duct bank was built and the utility companies are using it to bury the lines.
The goal is to “make Columbia Pike a safer, more accessible route for all users” as well as to transform “this main thoroughfare into a complete street that balances all modes of travel and supports high-quality, high-frequency transit service.”
Snow on the Yorktown High School sign announcing winter break (Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann)
Update at 12:45 p.m. — Roughly half or more of Arlington’s neighborhood streets have been cleared, according to the county’s snow removal map. ART bus routes are returning to normal service levels.
From Arlington Transit: "Due to improving road conditions, all ART routes will operate normal weekday service this afternoon and evening."
Earlier: It’s a snow day in Arlington, but getting around is not quite as treacherous as on Monday.
A smaller storm and more time to prepare have contributed to a much different situation on the roads.
About three inches of snow accumulation has been reported in Arlington — officially, 2.6 inches at National Airport — but cold temperatures have kept the snow light and fluffy. That compares to the 6.5-10 inches of snow from Monday’s storm, which started as rain and left a heavy wet layer of snow at the bottom.
Most primary and secondary routes seen on traffic cameras were clear as of 8:30 a.m.
Since 8 a.m., few significant traffic-related issues have been reported on police and fire radios.
Arlington County’s snow response remain in Phase 2 at last check, meaning crews are currently focusing on primary and secondary roads, leaving local roads snow-covered. Traffic cameras show visible pavement on most primary and secondary routes.
Colder temperatures will keep the overnight layer of snow light and manageable but go slow in case underneath there's ice leftover from earlier this week. Crews are making their way through Phase 2 of storm response. #ArlWXhttps://t.co/DuInmBchJWpic.twitter.com/JH1tMXXwsI
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 7, 2022
Bus service is running this morning, but on severe weather schedules. Both Arlington Transit and Metro have suspended a number of routes. The ART routes suspended as of publication include 53, 61, 62, 74, 75 and 84.
Metrobus Operating Moderate Snow Plan – January 7: Buses will begin the service day on a moderate snow plan, January 7. Learn more at https://t.co/aunDSDeWZz
Arlington Public Schools are closed today for the fifth day in a row, joining other major local school systems in declaring Friday a snow day, while Arlington County government facilities will open today on a delay, at 10 a.m.
Due to inclement weather, Arlington County Government will open facilities for in-person services at 10:00 am on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Visit the Closings, Delays & Cancellations page for details. https://t.co/0QHU4ZhGT6
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A crash led to the closure of the exit from Lynn Street to the GW Parkway (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
The busy exit from northbound N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn to the GW Parkway may remain closed to start the new year.
The lanes that allow drivers to exit onto the Parkway just before the Key Bridge are closed after a crash that took out a traffic signal, just before Christmas.
LOCATION: NB Lynn St exit to NB GW Parkway INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: Due to a traffic signal outage caused by a traffic collision the ramp from NB Lynn St to NB GW Parkway is closed until at least Monday, December 27. pic.twitter.com/VeCMmqow7N
Arlington’s public works department was hoping to have a temporary pole up today or tomorrow, allowing the exit to reopen, but a lack of staffing around the holidays may foil those plans.
“The signal pole might not be up until Monday [Jan. 3] because, among non-technical issues, contractor staffing is thin as a result of the holidays and Covid,” said Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services spokesman Peter Golkin.
“The permanent pole, equipment cabinet and related items were completely knocked out by a driver last Thursday so it’s not a simple repair job,” Golkin noted. “The temporary fix will have to be replaced at some point for new permanent equipment.”
Arlington police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)
(Updated at 10:35 p.m.) A pedestrian was injured Saturday evening in the Glencarlyn area of Arlington after getting struck by a vehicle at S. Carlin Springs Road and 2nd Street S.
Officers arrived at the scene around 7:25 p.m.
“The pedestrian was conscious and alert when transported to an area hospital with injuries considered non-life threatening,” said Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage.
LOCATION: Carlin Springs and S. 2nd St. INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: Both northbound and southbound lanes are shutdown for a traffic collision. Police and Fire Units are on scene, seek alternate routes pic.twitter.com/vVYs6yvv6I
Aftermath of police chase and crash on the southbound GW Parkway
Traffic on southbound GW Parkway after chase and crash (via Google Maps)
(Updated at 5:45 p.m.) Expect heavy traffic on the southbound GW Parkway just after Spout Run due to a crash following a police pursuit.
Initial reports suggest that Virginia State Police troopers chased a fleeing suspect in a Dodge up the Spout Run Parkway and then back down onto the southbound lanes of the Parkway, when the suspect crashed.
Arlington medics were requested to the scene to evaluate possible minor injuries.
Numerous police cruisers were still on scene of the crash as of 5:30 p.m. The wreck appeared to involve the red Dodge, which ran up an embankment on the right ride of the Parkway, and a second non-police vehicle, which had its airbags deployed after crashing into the left-hand stone wall.
One center lane of traffic was squeezing by the police response. As of 5:45 p.m. Google Maps shows traffic on the Parkway backed up to Route 123 in McLean.
LOCATION: SB George Washington Pkwy/Spout Run WB INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: Only the center lane is open SB George Washington Pkwy at Spout Run WB. Expect delays and seek an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/vbvXpb47Pg
(Updated at 9:50 a.m.) All lanes of N. Glebe Road were closed at 24th Road N., between Langston Blvd and Marymount University, due to a reported crash this morning.
Arlington Alert reported the crash and closure shortly after 7 a.m. Since then, the northbound lanes have reopened while the southbound lanes remain closed.
It appears that the crash took out a utility pole. Repair crews are on the scene.
“Avoid the area,” said the Arlington Alert. “Seek alternate route.”
LOCATION: N Glebe Rd/24th Rd N INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: All lanes NB/SB Glebe at 24th Rd closed. Avoid the area. Seek alternate route. pic.twitter.com/CPKxMRxVya
A reported two-vehicle crash that left one vehicle on its roof is causing significant delays on southbound I-395 near Pentagon City.
The flipped vehicle is located on the right-hand side of the roadway. Initial reports suggest that one person was trapped inside and that fellow motorists were trying to help get them out.
Firefighters and police are now on scene and the person who was stuck inside the overturned vehicle is now out, according to scanner traffic.
Just one lane of traffic is currently squeezing by the crash scene, causing significant delays. No word yet on any injuries.
LOCATION: I-395 S Exit 8A INCIDENT: Traffic Collision IMPACT: I-395 southbound in the area of exit 8A is currently closed down to one lane. Seek a different route and avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/aI20MmBFpV
A misplaced capital T has been replaced by a lowercase letter along Route 50 (photo courtesy Robert B.)
A misplaced capital T has been replaced by a lowercase letter along Route 50 (photo courtesy Robert B.)
A minor typo along Route 50 in the Rosslyn area has been fixed, to the relief of local pedants.
A directional sign along westbound Route 50 (Arlington Blvd), as one travels through the Rosslyn and Courthouse areas, has long read “14Th Street.” Just days after the error was pointed out to VDOT on social media, the erroneous capital-T was finally replaced late last week.
“The letter was replaced on the sign on Friday, September 10!” confirmed VDOT spokeswoman Ellen Kamilakis, who runs the celebrated VDOT Northern Virginia Twitter account. She said tips from the public help the agency correct minor problems across its expansive transportation network.
“Our Transportation Field Operations (TFO) group handles the maintenance of all signs, signals, and pavement markings in our District,” said Kamilakis. “We have more than 250,000 signs and 1,400 signalized intersections, so [while] crews always keep a look out for items that need to be fixed, we always encourage residents to reach out to us if they see an issue somewhere. People can let our Customer Service Center know via https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ or 800-FOR-ROAD.”
Social media — Twitter, specifically — is a popular means of reporting issues, but unlike the VDOT website and hotline it’s more of an informal channel.
“We try to be as helpful as possible on social media,” said Kamilakis, who regularly provides safety tips and general, lighthearted life advice in the form of a “Morning MeeMaw Nag.”
“We answer all of the questions that can be reasonably answered on social media,” Kamilakis added. “Our Twitter community mainly reports downed signs, potholes, signals on flash, debris in the road, drainage issues, etc. As these aren’t formal customer service requests through the system, I simply reach out to those in charge of said areas and they are always happy to help.”
