road closures

Road Closures Planned for Shirlington Oktoberfest

By Tim Regan

Shirlington Oktoberfest (courtesy photo)(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) An annual beer festival will shut down some roads in Shirlington this weekend.

Capitol City Brewing Company’s annual Oktoberfest celebration will bring men in lederhosen and women in dirndls to the The Village at Shirlington (4001 Campbell Avenue) on Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon to 7 p.m.

In addition to food, drinks and fun, the party will also bring road closures. The following roads will be closed to cars from about 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday:

  • Campbell Avenue, from Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street
  • S. Randolph Street, from Arlington Mill Drive to the alley behind PING by Charlie Chang’s (roughly the 3000 block)

Street parking in the area will also be restricted during that time.

2016-army-ten-miler-mapThen, next Sunday, Oct. 9, runners will pound pavement near the Pentagon as part of the 32nd annual Army Ten-Miler Race.

The following road closures will take effect when the race kicks off next week:

  • Route 110 between Rosslyn and Crystal City will be closed in both directions at 5:00 a.m. till approximately 2:00 p.m. (Use the George Washington Memorial Parkway as an alternative)
  • Eads Street from Army Navy Drive into the Pentagon/ northbound I-395 HOV lanes will be closed at 5:00 a.m.
  • I-395 southbound HOV exit to S. Eads Street / Pentagon south parking lot will be closed at 5:00 a.m.
  • I-395 HOV northbound from Crystal City to the 14th Street Bridge will be closed at 6:00 a.m.
    Route 27 in both directions from George Washington Memorial Parkway to I-395 will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Army Navy Drive from S. Eads Street to S. 12th Street from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
    12th Street from S. Eads Street to Long Bridge Drive from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Long Bridge Drive will be closed from S. 12th Street to Boundary Channel Drive from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

All roads closed by the marathon should be reopened by 12:30 p.m., except for Route 110, which will remain closed until approximately 2:00 p.m.

UPDATED: Teen in Crosswalk Struck While Walking to School

By ARLnow.com

Map showing Lee Highway between George Mason Drive and Glebe Road

Update at 1:45 p.m. — In a statement, Arlington County Police say the teen was in the crosswalk when she was struck by a car traveling eastbound on Lee Highway.

The driver of the vehicle rendered aid to the victim and remained on scene until the arrival of police units. Sun glare was present for eastbound traffic on Lee Highway at the time of the collision and is being investigated as a contributing factor. No charges have been filed at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Updated at 12:45 p.m. — All lanes of Lee Highway have reopened.

Earlier: Lee Highway is closed in both directions between George Mason Drive and N. Glebe Road this morning due to an investigation.

Arlington County Police say they’re investigating a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at Lee Highway and N. Edison Street.

A female pedestrian was struck by a driver in a sedan just after 7:30 a.m., said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. She suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital.

Savage said the victim has been identified as a 15-year-old girl who was walking to school at the time. The striking driver remained on scene, Savage said. The exact circumstances surrounding the crash have not yet been determined.

ACPD’s Critical Accident Team is continuing to investigate the collision and there’s still no word on how long the closure is expected to last.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Full moon on 9/15/16

Road Closures for Street Festivals — In addition to street closures associated with Clarendon Day on Saturday, this weekend there will be closures for the 2016 Prio Bangla Potho Mela street festival. On Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight, 9th Street S. will be closed from Walter Reed Drive to S. Highland Street. [Arlington County]

Home Sales Up — The volume of Arlington home sales was up 9.3 percent in August, compared to one year prior. [InsideNova]

Election Questions Answered — The Arlington Human Rights Commission and Office of Elections will hold a voter education event today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community and Senior Center. Officials will answer questions residents might have about how to vote in the upcoming election. [Arlington County]

Arlington’s Digital Future — Next month, on Oct. 11, Arlington County is holding an event about its “digital destiny.” The event, at the Shirlington library auditorium, will explore “today’s digital revolution and how it will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and visit Arlington in the years to come.” It will feature an interview with author Shawn DuBravac. [YouTube, Arlington County]

Grammy-Winning Group to Headline Rosslyn Jazz Festival Next Weekend

By Adrian Cruz

Rosslyn Jazzfest 2015, photo courtesy Rosslyn BIDA Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz ensemble is slated to headline the 26th annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival next week.

The festival will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 at Gateway Park. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event, according to the Rosslyn BID, which helps organize the festival.

Grupo Fantasma, a Latin funk ensemble from Austin, Texas, is this year’s headlining act. The band’s 2010 album, “El Existentia,” won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album in 2011.

Other acts scheduled to perform in the festival include vocalist Akua Allrich, guitarist Vieux Farka Touré and the Glen David Andrews Band.

“The Rosslyn Jazz Festival has something for everyone in the community,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID. “The festival takes a very modern and accessible approach to jazz with musical groups that have a strong millennial following.”

Along with musical performances, this year’s festival will feature a special where kids can create their own musical instruments and an “art jam” session where attendees can draw, paint or write poems inspired by the festival.

The event will also have beer and wine from local bars and a variety of snacks from area food trucks.

The Arlington County Police Department says it will shut down some roads in the area, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., for the jazz festival. Those road closures include:

  • Eastbound lanes of Lee Hwy between Fort Myer Drive and Lynn Street
  • 19th Street N. between Fort Myer and N. Moore Street

“Heavy pedestrian traffic is anticipated between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.,” the police department said. “Be prepared for delays if you do not detour prior to Fort Myer Drive.”

Photo courtesy Rosslyn BID

UPDATE: Reported Standoff in Va. Square Ends Peacefully, Police Say

By ARLnow.com

Police standoff in Virginia Square (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) A reported standoff with an armed man near the Virginia Square Metro station ended peacefully this afternoon.

The standoff was said to be taking place in an apartment tower on the 900 block of N. Pollard Street. Police said the man was making threats and was in possession of multiple loaded firearms.

A police spokeswoman described it as a “fluid situation,” with officers “taking an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety.”

While police took defensive positions down the hall from the man’s apartment, he was spotted outside the Starbucks near the Metro station. As it turns out, the man had left his apartment prior to police arriving. Officers talked with the man, who was said to be calm and mostly cooperative.

At 4 p.m., police said the situation was “safely resolved” and the man was “being referred to County services.”

During the standoff Pollard Street was closed to traffic and police advised people to avoid the area. One nearby resident told us that heavily-armed officers had the apartment building “locked down.”

Courtesy photo

Gas Leak Shuts Down Randolph Street in Ballston

By ARLnow.com

N. Randolph Street is shut down between Glebe and Wilson due to a gas leakUpdate at 10:20 a.m. — The leak has reportedly been stopped and the road is being reopened.

A busy street in Ballston has been closed due to a strong odor of natural gas coming from a manhole.

N. Randolph Street is closed between N. Glebe Road and Wilson Blvd, near the Ballston Common Mall demolition site. Several businesses on the Glebe Road side of Randolph have been evacuated.

Washington Gas crews are en route to try to stop the leak.

Car Runs Into Pole Near Va. Hospital Center

By ARLnow.com

Police car lightsA car has crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of N. George Mason Drive and Washington Blvd, just down the road from Virginia Hospital Center.

The pole is down and George Mason Drive is blocked, according to scanner traffic. The driver of the car reportedly suffered facial injuries and is being treated by paramedics.

Drivers should expect traffic impacts in the area.

UPDATED: Firefighters Investigating Smoke in Ballston Macy’s

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County fire truckUpdate at 4:50 p.m. — One lane of northbound Glebe Road has been reopened, but major backups on Glebe are being reported.

Update at 4:30 p.m. — Firefighters say they’ve located the likely source of the smoke, in a mechanical room. No fire was found. Units are starting to clear from the scene.

Arlington County firefighters have shut down Glebe Road at Wilson Blvd as they investigate why the second floor of the Ballston Common Mall Macy’s store has filled with smoke.

Numerous fire department units are responding to the scene, but so far the source of the smoke has not been found. No flames have been seen and firefighters are checking the building’s HVAC system.

Drivers should expect traffic impacts in the area.

VDOT Warns of Big Delays for Friday Motorcycle Ride

By ARLnow.com

A 9/11 memorial motorcycle ride makes its way down I-66 (photo courtesy edobson22207)The final America’s 9/11 Ride will be rumbling through Arlington on Friday, and VDOT is warning commuters to expect delays.

A number of major routes will be closed while some 1,500 bikers ride to the area of the Pentagon. In Arlington, the ride will be making its way down I-66 and Route 110, just in time for the evening rush hour.

“Expect delays and heavy local traffic,” VDOT says. The agency issued the following press release.

On Friday, Aug. 19 from 2 – 6 p.m., motorists can expect road closures and delays of up to 90 minutes while 1,500 motorcycles and support vehicles travel from the Maryland/Virginia line in Loudoun County to the Pentagon as part of the America’s 9/11 Ride. State and local police will escort the riders.

The route is as follows:

  • Route 15 south to Leesburg;
  • Route 7 bypass;
  • Dulles Greenway;
  • Dulles Toll Road (ramp closures from Route 28 onto eastbound Dulles Toll Road);
  • Dulles Connector Road;
  • I-66 (ramp closures from I-495, Sycamore Street, N Glebe Road, Lee Highway, and N Lynn Street);
  • Route 110 to the Pentagon.

Drivers are advised to use alternate routes and expect heavier than normal traffic on local roads.

Overhead message signs will alert motorists to expect delays from noon to 6 p.m.

Road Closure Due to Water Main Break in Crystal City

By ARLnow.com

Water main break in Crystal City (file photo)Update at 5 p.m. — Repairs are behind schedule but are still expected to be complete by the end of the day, a county spokeswoman said.

“The depth of the water main has made this a more complicated repair and weather is also slowing us down,” said Jessica Baxter. “The estimated completion is now midnight tonight. We’ll continue to monitor progress and communicate any updates.”

Update at 1:55 p.m. — The office building at 2001 Jefferson Davis Highway is affected too, the county has confirmed.

A water main break has closed a road and at least one building in Crystal City.

Crews are currently working to repair the 12-inch water main, which broke last night. Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services says an office building and an apartment building are affected; ARLnow.com has heard reports of other buildings without water in the area.

“Buildings 2111 and 2221 S. Clark Street are currently impacted,” said DES spokeswoman Jessica Baxter. “Repairs will continue through the day and the estimated time of completion is 6 p.m., barring complications. South Clark Street is closed between 20th and 23rd Street, however, Jefferson Davis Highway remains open and traffic is flowing.”

Last night co-working space WeWork, which is located at 2221 S. Clark Street, told customers in an email that the building would be closed today.

A water main break is affecting people citywide this evening in Crystal City. This affects our water and HVAC and we are closing the building tomorrow until water has been restored. We will communicate with you as soon as we hear from the city.

In the meantime, you are welcome to work out of any other DC WeWork location. Please reach out to the Crystal City team with any questions. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to rectify this situation.

The WeWork Crystal City Team

File photo

TRAFFIC ALERT: WB Route 50 Closed Due to Bank Robbery

By ARLnow.com

Route 50 closed due to bank robberyUpdate at 7 p.m. — All roads are back open again.

Update at 6:30 p.m. — Route 50 is closed in both directions again, according to WTOP and Fairfax County Police.

Update at 6 p.m. — Route 50 has reopened to traffic in both directions, WTOP reports.

Meanwhile, Metro commuters also had to deal with delays during this evening’s commute. A disabled train at the Courthouse station prompted single tracking and serious delays on the Orange and Silver lines.

Westbound Route 50 has been closed at N. Manchester Street, near Kenmore Middle School, due to a bank robbery investigation in Seven Corners.

The robbery was reported this afternoon at the TD Bank at 6198 Arlington Blvd. Initial reports suggest that the suspect told bank employees he had a bomb, then left a suspicious package in the bank before fleeing the scene.

Route 50 is closed near the bank, as Fairfax County police and the bomb squad investigate. Arlington County Police have closed westbound Route 50 at N. Manchester Street, not far from the county line, and as of 5:15 p.m. had also shut down access to westbound Route 50 from Glebe Road.

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