road closures

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Puddle at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road (Flickr pool photo by Bekah Richards)

Big Changes Coming to DCA — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has revealed updated designs of the coming changes at Reagan National Airport. Among the changes are a new commuter terminal, replacing the outdoor commuter gate 35X, and a new structure to house security checkpoints, which will be positioned before travelers enter the airport’s main terminal B/C hallway. [WTOP, WTOP]

Ethiopian Restaurant Coming to Courthouse — Chercher Ethiopian restaurant is expanding from the District to a new location at 2000 14th Street N. in Courthouse. It will be the first Virginia outpost for the acclaimed Ethiopian restaurant. Its owner says he chose Courthouse because the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor lacks Ethiopian dining options. [Washington Business Journal]

Tornado Drill Today — Yesterday was the first day of spring and today, at 9:45 a.m., Virginia is holding its annual statewide tornado drill. The drill is “a yearly opportunity to prepare Virginians for tornado emergencies and to test public warning systems.” [Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management]

Va. Pols Speaking at Arlington Dems Dinner — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello and state Attorney General Mark Herring will be the headline speakers at the Arlington Democrats’ annual “Blue Victory Dinner,” formerly known as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, on April 8. The other Democratic candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, “had a conflict and will not be able to make it.” [InsideNova]

School 5K to Close Streets — Roads will be closed in Arlington’s Williamsburg neighborhood Saturday morning for the second annual Discovery/Nottingham Friendship 5K. [Arlington County, Discovery Elementary School]

Flickr pool photo by Bekah Richards

Water Main Break Shuts Down Arlington Ridge Road

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Ridge Road was shut down between 23rd Street S. and S. Glebe Road this morning due to emergency water main repairs.

The AM rush hour closure affected those dropping students off at Gunston Middle School and Oakridge Elementary.

As of 9 a.m. crews were said to be wrapping up the repairs.

Randolph Street to Close in Ballston for Crane Assembly

By ARLnow.com

Ballston Quarter road closure (photo via Ballston BID)

A busy street in Ballston will be closed this weekend while crews work to erect a construction crane.

N. Randolph Street is set to be blocked off between Wilson Blvd and the Ballston mall parking garage starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. The massive crane will be assisting with the construction of the new residential tower, which is part of the Ballston Quarter project.

More from the Ballston BID:

Clark Construction Group and their subcontractors will be erecting the tower crane for the Ballston Quarter Residential Tower this weekend on Saturday (3/18) and Sunday (3/19).

They will be closing N. Randolph Street between Wilson Blvd. and the Arlington County Parking Garage starting Saturday, 3/18, at 9 AM. and will be reopened upon completion. Vehicles will be detoured from N. Randolph St. for the entire duration of the closure. (Note: The County parking garage entrance on N. Randolph St. will remain open.) You will find a diagram of this condition for your above.

Off-duty police officers will be present to help enforce the closures and field and questions.

Overnight Road Closures Planned for Bridge Near Pentagon

By Tim Regan
1/2

Demolition work related to the rehabilitation of the Washington Blvd bridge over Route 110 is set to close some ramps and lanes starting tonight at midnight.

During the closures, which are slated to last up to 30 minutes, workers will deconstruct the original bridge deck that was built there in 1941 and deemed “structurally deficient” a few years ago.

The road closures are scheduled to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. at the following locations and times:

  • Feb. 27-March 2: Ramp from eastbound Route 27 to northbound Route 110
  • March 3-4, 6-9: Northbound Route 110
  • March 10-11, 13-14: Southbound Route 110
  • March 15-18: Ramp from westbound Route 27 to the Pentagon, and the ramp from the Pentagon to westbound Route 27

The demolition work is part of a $31.5 million plan to replace the existing bridge, near the Pentagon, with a new structure that will expand the shared-use path to 14-feet wide and add an 8-foot sidewalk. The new bridge will also be longer, wider and taller than the existing bridge.

When complete, the newly rehabilitated bridge will include amenities such as low-level iron fences, LED lighting for pedestrians and four medallions commemorating the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

VDOT expects to put the finishing touches on the bridge next spring.

BREAKING: ACFD Battling House Fire in Columbia Forest

By ARLnow.com
File photo

Arlington firefighters are battling a house fire in the Columbia Forest neighborhood, between Columbia Pike and Wakefield High School.

The blaze was reported at a residential property the 1000 block of S. Dinwiddie Street just after 4:15 p.m.

The Arlington County Fire Department tweeted that it is dealing with “heavy smoke and fire” on the property. The fire broke out in the rear of a two story home and, as of 4:35 p.m., has been extinguished, according to scanner traffic.

Police have closed S. Columbus Street at Columbia Pike due to the large number of fire department vehicles in the area.

Bank Robbery Suspect Throws Bag of Cash Out Along Glebe Road

By ARLnow.com

Intersection of Glebe and Eads blocked due to bank robbery investigationAll lanes of S. Glebe Road have been temporarily shut down due to cash in the roadway.

A traffic camera shows police blocking the intersection of Glebe and S. Eads Street, and directing drivers to turn around.

Initial reports suggest there was a bank robbery in Alexandria and the robber — described as a white male wearing a black beanie cap — threw a bag of cash, which also contained a tracking device, out into the middle of Glebe Road.

Police are documenting the scene and trying to deal with cash that was reported to be “all over” the road.

Update at 9:50 a.m. — Police have collected the cash and the road closures are being lifted. Alexandria Police say the bank robbery happened on the 3700 block of Jefferson Davis Highway; that matches the address of a Navy Federal Credit Union location at Potomac Yard.

Update at 5:30 p.m. — Alexandria Police have released the following press release about the robbery.

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the robbery of a Navy Federal Credit Union located at 3725 Jefferson Davis highway. On Monday, February 6, 2017, at 9:17 a.m., a man entered the bank and passed the teller a note demanding money. The teller complied and the suspect fled in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6’1″ to 6’3″ tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black coat, blue jeans, a black hat, and dark aviator-style sunglasses.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of these criminals.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call Detective Brad Cecchetti at 703.746.6858.

Traffic Changes, Increased Police Presence Planned for Inauguration Day

By ARLnow.com

Capitol dome at night with the Pentagon in the foreground

Getting around in Arlington on Inauguration Day tomorrow shouldn’t be much of a challenge, but there will be important changes of note for those heading into the District.

VDOT has announced the following traffic changes for Friday:

  • I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 3 a.m. on January 20. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound upon the conclusion of the Inaugural parade.
  • HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-66 (as well as on I-395 when the lanes reopen Friday evening).
  • Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only.

The Key Bridge and Chain Bridge will be open to all traffic, as will the I-395 main lanes and I-66.

Metrorail, meanwhile will open at 4 a.m. and will run at near-rush hour service levels through 9 p.m. The Pentagon Metro station and several stations in the District, however, will be closed for security reasons.

Arlington County has additional resources and guides for those taking transit or walking into D.C. for the inauguration.

ACPD says there are no known credible threats but is stepping up security around the county, including in Metro stations.

“Arlington County Police have increased patrols for Friday,” the department said. “There are no credible threats in the area but as with all large scale events, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant.”

“Traffic in Arlington County will be impacted on Friday and motorists should be prepared for congestion, delays and detours,” ACPD added. “Use of public transportation is encouraged. If you must drive, be sure to have a full tank of gas before you leave, or you may become stranded while waiting in traffic.”

Though many bridges are open, once drivers get into the District they will have to contend with major detours and closures, including the closure of numerous streets around the White House, the Capitol and the inaugural parade route.

Additional inauguration resources are available on the Arlington County website.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

"Trump's Cessna Citation X corporate jet at Reagan Airport on 1/10/2017" (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Coffee With a Cop Today — The Arlington County Police Department’s district teams are holding “Coffee With a Cop” events today. The event “has no agenda or speeches” and “is a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the officers and neighbors in your district.” [Arlington County]

Washington Blvd Closure Tonight — Expect lane closures and a 30-minute full closure of Washington Blvd (Route 27) over Route 110 overnight tonight. VDOT is replacing an aging bridge over Route 110; the project is expected to wrap up in 2018. [Twitter]

Boulevard Woodgrill Staff to Marble and Rye — Marble and Rye on Columbia Pike has hired “the entire executive staff” from the former Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon, a restaurant rep says. The hires include longtime Boulevard executive chef Paul Murad and longtime general manager Kent Lawson. The hires, we’re told, “will provide a significant upgrade in service and menu options” and will help Marble and Rye “compete with other popular destinations in Clarendon, Ballston and Shirlington.”

Neighborhood College Applications Being Accepted — “Learn how to become a neighborhood advocate and effect change through Arlington County’s free Neighborhood College program, which will meet on eight consecutive Thursday evenings beginning March 16, 2017.” [Arlington County]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

President Obama Is Coming to Arlington This Afternoon

By ARLnow.com

President Obama addresses students and parents at Washington-Lee High School

President Obama is expected to make at least one more official trip into Arlington County this afternoon.

The president and Vice President Biden will be participating in an Armed Forces Full Honor Review Farewell Ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, according to a White House press schedule.

The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Drivers should expect temporary road closures near the base — Route 50, Washington Blvd, etc. — as a result of the visit.

Glebe Road Closed Due to Rollover Crash

By ARLnow.com

Fairfax County police car lightsN. Glebe Road is currently closed between Chain Bridge and N. Military Road due to a single-vehicle rollover crash.

The crash happened around 10 a.m. The driver was able to “self-extricate” from the vehicle, which was flipped on its roof, according to scanner traffic.

Glebe Road is closed while a tow crew works to remove the flipped vehicle and clean debris from the roadway.

The driver’s injuries are believed to be minor.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Wreaths on gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery 2016 (Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman)

Hunt Loses Mansion Legal Battle — Rodney P. Hunt, once one of the D.C. area’s wealthiest businessmen, has lost a legal battle to keep his $24 million Chain Bridge Road mansion. Hunt, who represented himself in court, asserted that the entity that bought the mansion at a foreclosure auction this summer was not its real owner. While Hunt was living there, the 20,000 square foot property hosted large “#RHPMansion” parties, one of which led to a drive-by shooting in McLean. [Washington Post]

‘Loss of Historic Architecture’ — The historic George Washington Carver Cooperative Apartments in the Arlington View neighborhood were torn down in February. The apartments’ 70-year history as a centerpiece of the working-class African American community there was, however, preserved via oral histories and historic markets. The property is now the Carver Place townhomes, which start at $689,000. So far, 38 of 73 have sold. [Falls Church News-Press]

Road Closure in Lyon Park — Washington Gas pipeline work is prompting a road closure in Lyon Park today and tomorrow. Cyclists who use the Arlington Blvd trail may also be affected. [BikeArlington Forum]

First Day of Winter — Today is the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also known as the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. [Capital Weather Gang]

Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman

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