lane closure

Route 50 Lane Closure Will Likely Remain Through End of Year

By ARLnow.com

Hopefully you’ve gotten used to the lane closure on westbound Route 50 near Courthouse, because it’s probably sticking around for the holidays.

The lane closure, put into place to facilitate a utility relocation project, was originally supposed to be lifted in July. Now, it will likely be in place through the end of the year.

Washington Gas will wrap up their portion of the utility work by the end of October or beginning of November, according to VDOT utility relocation manager Matthew McLaughlin. Then it’s expected that Dominion will start a two-month installation of an underground electrical conduit. The existing lane closure will stay in place during that time.

The planned two-month duration of the Dominion work “can increase very quickly” in the event of inclement weather, we’re told.

The lane closure has made a tricky merge from Courthouse Road onto westbound Route 50 even trickier. Somewhat ironically, the ultimate goal of the utility relocation work is to prepare for the construction of a safer Route 50/Courthouse Road interchange.

The multi-month delays in the project were caused by additional utility relocations that had to be made due to changes in the interchange construction plan, McLaughlin said.

Photo courtesy Todd DuBois

Water Main Repair Work on South Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Update on 8/20 — The water main repair work has been completed, but crews are now working on a gas main leak in the same area. One lane is blocked in each direction.

Expect a slowdown on South Glebe Road between Columbia Pike and the Route 50 tonight, as crews work to repair a water main.

The work will begin around 8:00 near 8th Street South, the county says. One lane of South Glebe Road will be blocked in each direction.

The work is expected to wrap up tomorrow morning.

BREAKING NEWS — Rescue Operation For Injured Worker on 14th Street Bridge

By ARLnow.com

Update at 11:20 a.m. — Per DC Fire & EMS: The injured worker has been extricated and is being taken via fire boat to a waiting ambulance at the Columbia Island Marina. Most of the emergency vehicles on the bridge have cleared out, although the lane restrictions have not been lifted yet.

Update at 11:45 a.m. — All lanes on the bridge have reopened.

Arlington Alert and DC Fire & EMS are reporting that a rescue operation is underway on the outbound (southbound) side of the 14th Street Bridge. An injured construction worker is being evaluated by medics and will be lowered via roping and hoist to a DC fire boat below.

Traffic is down to one lane on the southbound span. The Washington Post’s Dr. Gridlock is reporting heavy traffic on the DC side as a result.

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.