papal visit | ARLnow.com

Thank You Pope Francis: Another Morning of Ridiculously Light Traffic

Published September 24, 2015 at 9:15AM

I-395 during Thursday morning’s rush hour

I-66 during Thursday morning’s rush hour

Google Map showing traffic during Thursday’s morning rush

The pope has brought joy, love and ridiculously light traffic to the Washington area.

During this morning’s rush hour, major commuter highways like I-395 and I-66 had about as much traffic as they might at 4 a.m. on a Sunday. Those who commute to D.C. from Virginia apparently decided to just stay home while large swaths of the District are closed for Pope Francis’ visit.

It was a similar situation on Metro: even the perpetually critical @unsuckdcmetro Twitter account couldn’t find anything to fault this morning, retweeting the following.

@unsuckdcmetro metro least crowded I've ever seen it, thanks @Pontifex #PopeinDC

— Leah Grace (@leahkennebeck) September 24, 2015

Seriously @wmata could not have been smoother this morning. Credit due. cc @unsuckdcmetro

— Jordan Hirsch (@jordanhirsch) September 24, 2015

Best commute of the year. Thanks @Pontifex! cc: @wmata, @unsuckdcmetro, @WMATARU, @FixWMATA pic.twitter.com/5c3QEc9FKt

— David Fuchs (@davidwfuchs) September 23, 2015

Clear Sailing on Arlington Roads for Pope’s Visit

By ARLnow.com

Published September 23, 2015 at 8:50AM

Fears of a traffic apocalypse as a result of Pope Francis’ visit were apparently unfounded.

Traffic on all highways in Arlington is flowing freely, with the possible exception of accident-related backups on westbound I-66.

The pope’s visit has closed a large swath of streets in downtown D.C., leading many to commute via Metro or telework.

Arlington County Police have warned of possible road closures in Rosslyn and Pentagon City if pedestrian traffic leaving the papal parade gets out of hand.

14th St Bridge now looks much better. Other Potomac crossings & DC street grid OK too, despite #PopeInDC. pic.twitter.com/7uUDIR45M7

— Dr. Gridlock (@drgridlock) September 23, 2015

#papal visit

ACPD Warns of Possible Pope-Related Road Closures

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2015 at 12:00PM

The Arlington County Police Department is warning that it may have to close down some busy streets and highways in the event of a major pedestrian exodus from D.C. during Pope Francis’ visit this week.

“The Arlington County Police Department may be closing several streets near the Rosslyn and Pentagon City Metro stations on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24… as a result of the papal visit,” police said. “Road closures may be in effect from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on September 23 and 24, and will ONLY take place in the event of a large pedestrian walkout from Washington, D.C.”

The closures would be put in place on the following roads in Rosslyn:

N. 19th Street @ N. Lynn Street
N. 19th Street @ Ft. Myer Drive
N. Moore Street @ Lee Hwy
Wilson Boulevard @ Ft. Myer Drive
Wilson Boulevard @ N. Lynn Street
Ft. Myer Drive @ N. 17th Street and Fairfax Drive

Also, the following road closures are possible in Pentagon City:

Army Navy Drive @ S. Eads Street
Army Navy Drive @ S. Joyce Street
1200 S. Hayes Street @ Entrance to mall
S. 15th Street @ S. Hayes Street
S. 12th Street @ S. Fern Street

ACPD also says it may divert traffic from eastbound I-66, approaching the Roosevelt Bridge, onto southbound Route 110, and may divert eastbound Route 50 before the bridge onto the southbound GW Parkway.