Traffic

Chain Bridge Closed This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

Just a reminder: as we reported on Tuesday, Chain Bridge will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians this weekend.

With sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s, it looks like the repair work, which has been delayed three times due to weather, will finally go on as scheduled.

The bad news: when combined with Saturday’s National Marathon and anti-war protests, it’s a recipe for major traffic headaches, especially if you’re trying to drive from Arlington into the District.

Also of note, a planned lane closure on westbound Route 50, which has been delayed nearly a month, will be happening “soon,” according to (of all sources) a road sign. Route 50 does not show up, however, in a list of VDOT’s planned closures for this weekend.

Fourth Time’s a Charm for Chain Bridge Closure?

By ARLnow.com

Road crews will try again to perform reconstruction work on the deck of Chain Bridge this weekend. The work will completely close Chain Bridge to traffic and pedestrians from 8:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday.

This is the fourth attempt to perform the repair work. The first two scheduled closures were snowed out; this past weekend’s planned closure was rained out.

Motorists are asked to seek alternate routes across the Potomac this weekend. Possible detours include the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street Bridges.

Serious Accident Shuts Down Northbound GW Parkway

By ARLnow.com

The northbound George Washington Parkway has been shut down at Spout Run due to a vehicle that skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.

One southbound lane is being blocked by a fire truck. Northbound traffic is being diverted onto Spout Run.

The closures are causing major traffic problems, prompting Arlington County to issue an email alert.

The prolonged closure, with accident investigators on the scene, is usually a sign that at least one person has died or is in grave condition.

Road Closures to Avoid This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

A number of road closures will play havoc with traffic in Arlington this weekend.

The Four Courts Four Miler kicks off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Police will shut down Wilson Blvd from Courthouse Road to North Rhodes Street from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wilson Blvd from North Rhodes Street to Route 110 in Rosslyn will be closed at 8:45 a.m. Northbound Route 110 from Rosslyn to Route 1 in Crystal City will be shut down from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Click here for a map.

Cars parked along the route will be ticketed and towed. Race participants are urged to use Metro. The Courthouse station is a short distance from the starting line.

Chain Bridge will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians all weekend. That is, unless the predicted rain prevents reconstruction work on the bridge deck from taking place, which is a distinct possibility. If work goes on as scheduled, expect Chain Bridge to remain closed from Friday night to early Monday morning.

“Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and river crossings including the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street Bridges,” VDOT said of the Chain Bridge closure, in a statement.

Finally, the ongoing Humpback Bridge replacement project will result in lane closures during the day on Saturday. One lane of the George Washington Parkway from Memorial Bridge to I-395 will be closed in each direction from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

I-395 Exit to Rt. 1 Still Closed

By ARLnow.com

Update at 8:00 p.m. — All lanes are now open.

Traffic is backing up on I-395 South as confused drivers slow down at what is usually the busy exit to Route 1. Instead of an exit, commuters are encountering orange barrels.

Even though Arlington County road crews have opened up one left lane of southbound Jefferson Davis Highway (Rt. 1) in Crystal City following last night’s water main breaks, VDOT is keeping the I-395 exit closed, perhaps out of worries about the thoroughfare being able to handle rush hour commuter traffic.

Arlington County says the middle lane of southbound Jeff Davis should open around 6:00 p.m. tonight. The far right lane “may also open later.”

The faulty water pressure regulator that caused last night’s water main breaks has been turned off, according to the county. Meanwhile, crews are still working to repair a water main break on South Eads Street.

Traffic Trouble: Only One Lane of SB Rt. 1 Will Be Open Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Update at 2:10 p.m. — South Eads Street, which runs parallel to Route 1 from Pentagon City to S. Glebe Road, is not a viable option as an alternate route past 23rd Street. Eads is currently closed between Ft. Scott Drive and S. Glebe Road while crews work to fix another water main break.

Arlington County is warning that only one lane of southbound Jefferson Davis Highway (Rt. 1) in Crystal City will be open in time for tonight’s evening rush hour. The continued lane closures will likely cause major backups for commuters throughout South Arlington.

A series of water main breaks last night caused sections of Route 1 between 23rd St. and 27th St. (near the ramp to Reagan National Airport) to collapse. The breaks have been fixed, but road repair work has gone more slowly than originally anticipated.

Late last night, the county said they were working to reopen southbound Route 1 by the morning rush hour. This morning, engineers said they hoped to have all lanes open by 4:00 p.m. Now, we’re told that one left lane will be open, hopefully by 3:30 p.m.

In otherwise light traffic this afternoon, the closure pushed cars onto side streets, backing up exits and turn lanes off of northbound Jefferson Davis Highway.

Drivers should consider the George Washington Parkway or I-395 as an alternate route tonight, but those already-busy thoroughfares will likely see backups due to increased traffic volume.

South Clark Street, which can be accessed via the I-395 South exit to Boundary Channel Drive, is another option, but it too will likely be backed up.

Commuters coming into Virginia via I-395 can also consider taking Arlington Ridge Road to S. Glebe Road to Route 1 as an alternate route.

Major Water Main Break Shuts Down Part of Rt. 1

By ARLnow.com

A major water main break will cause big-time traffic problems in Crystal City during the morning rush hour.

The southbound lanes of Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) are currently closed from I-395 to the McDonald’s near the Reagan National Airport access ramp. The county does not expect to reopen the road until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at the earliest.

Public works crews are on the scene trying to repair three breaks in a 12-inch water main. Heavy digging equipment has been brought in due to part of the road collapsing under the weight of the water.

The county is warning residents and businesses in the area that they may experience low water pressure or a complete water shut-off. When the water pressure returns, residents should run the cold water tap for a few minutes to clear the pipes, the county advises.

Video from the scene, after the jump.

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Route 50 Lane Closure Starts Monday

By ARLnow.com

The left lane of westbound Route 50 between Courthouse Road and 10th Street (see graphic) will be closed until July.

The closure, for a utility relocation project, is the first step of an effort to improve the notorious Route 50-Courthouse Road interchange.

VDOT may put additional temporary lane closures in place as needed. Drivers advised to expect delays in the area.

Meanwhile, Arlington County has released a video showing just how dangerous the Courthouse Road interchange is, apparently in an attempt to drum up federal stimulus dollars.

The Mother of All Potholes in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

It would swallow up a truck tire — maybe even a small motorcycle — if given a chance. This monster pothole, near Ballston Common Mall, is more than two feet deep, perhaps big enough to be classified as a sinkhole.

The pothole, which apparently extends into some sort of sewer line, is located in the turning lane of N. Carlin Springs Rd at the intersection with N. Glebe Rd.

An Arlington public works truck was on the scene earlier this afternoon, apparently waiting for some heavier machinery to arrive.

There are plenty of other potholes around Arlington, but this is probably the biggest. If there’s a suspension-twisting, tire-flattening pothole that you want to see patched, fill out this form on the county’s web site, or call 703-228-6570.

A county spokesperson says their crews are trying to take care of potholes within 72 hours but, due to the large number of potholes this year, meeting the 72 hour goal may be difficult.

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