Police and firefighters are on scene of a crash with injuries on Route 50.
The crash happened around 9:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of Route 50 at N. Manchester Street, near Arlington’s western border
At least two vehicles were involved in the crash. Two ambulances have responded to the scene for at least two reported injuries.
Only one lane of traffic is squeezing by the crash scene, prompting backups past N. Carlin Springs Road.
Windy Day on Tap — After a windy night, more gusty winds are expected today. The gusts are expected to reach up to 40 miles per hour locally. [Twitter]
Lions Club Seeks County Lot for Xmas Tree Sale — “Christmas is coming early for the South Arlington Lions Club. Arlington County Board members on Oct. 19 are expected to allow, for the second year in a row, the service organization to use county-government property on South Four Mile Run Drive for its annual Christmas-tree sale.” [InsideNova]
Local Affordable Housing Group Expanding — “A leading affordable housing nonprofit in Arlington County is expanding its operations into Montgomery County, another sign of a growing regional focus on preserving or producing homes that lower-earning residents can afford.” [Washington Post, Press Release]
Earthquake Drill Today — “Participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill [today] at 10:17 a.m… Go to the lowest floor of the building, drop to your hands/knees, cover your head w/your arm, and hold on to shelter.” [Twitter]
VDOT Studying Changes to Route 50 West of Arlington — “The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding a public information meeting Monday, Oct. 21 on a study of potential safety and operational improvements for three miles of Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Boulevard.” [VDOT]
(Updated at 1 p.m.) A large group of dirt bike and ATV riders rolled through parts of Arlington last night.
As in years past, the apparent “Sunday Fun Day” ride saw dozens of riders drive from D.C. to Arlington and back to the District. The riders — who typically ride when the weather is especially nice, as it was last night — reportedly entered the county via Route 50, rumbled past Rosslyn and Courthouse, and then headed south to Crystal City.
The group was followed by a couple of police cruisers.
“Heard a thunderous noise outside my apartment that sounded like fighter jets,” one resident told ARLnow. “Came out to my balcony to see a swarm of bikes and ATVs on Route 50. The police gave chase 30 seconds later.”
On Monday afternoon, Arlington County Police revealed that an 18-year-old Maryland man was arrested on drug, weapon and other charges during the dirt bike ride. ACPD is working with other police agencies to identify each of the nearly 100 riders in the group, per a crime report item (below).
FELONY POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE (Significant), 2019-08250230, 800 block of 18th Street S. At approximately 9:36 p.m. on August 25, police were dispatched to the report of suspicious persons attempting to load an ATV and dirt bike into the back of a truck. During a probable cause search of the truck, officers recovered a firearm and evidence related to the distribution of marijuana. During the course of the arrest, the suspect provided false information regarding his identity. Alfonso Murphy, 18, of Landover, MD, was arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, identity theft, forgery and carrying a concealed weapon. He is being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing.
ELUDING (Significant), 2019-08250191, Key Bridge at Fort Myer Drive. At 7:57 p.m. on August 25, police were notified that approximately 100 ATVs and dirt bikes were entering Arlington County from the District of Columbia utilizing the Key Bridge. Officers responded to the area, activated their emergency equipment and monitored the group for the safety of pedestrians and motorists. No injuries or property damage were reported. Arlington County Police are actively investigating and working with our regional partners to identify the riders. The operation of all-terrain vehicles on any public highway or other private property is prohibited by Virginia State Code § 46.2-915. If citizens observe these vehicles being operated in the county or know the identity of someone riding on Arlington County roadways, they should call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222. Information can also be provided anonymously to Arlington County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
More via social media:
@ARLnowDOTcom a long line of motorcycles and 4-wheelers doing wheelies and tricks on 50 in Rosslyn. ACPD followed shortly. pic.twitter.com/nwvVVxAt9S
— Peter Dola (@ptdola) August 26, 2019
@PoPville they’re in crystal city now pic.twitter.com/0BGz69v6x0
— Michael Shannon (@mcshannon12) August 26, 2019
Photos courtesy James Mahony
Pence Visits Arlington, Again — Vice President Mike Pence again visited Arlington, this time the southern half of the county. The one-time Arlington resident gave a speech at an event for the “Alliance Defending Freedom” at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City hotel. As with his visit to Clarendon last week, the veep arrived via motorcade, accompanied by a sizable security detail. [White House, Twitter]
Arlington Company Facing Lawsuit — Employees of Arlington-based Evolent Health “have asserted in class-action lawsuits that the health care consulting company… has failed to pay them overtime for periods in which they worked more than 40 hours a week.” The company denied the allegations in court filings. [Insider Louisville]
Trans Events Coming to Crystal City — “An opening reception for people planning to participate in the [National Transgender Visibility March] will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, to be followed by a Friday, Sept. 27, Torch Award Ceremony in which prominent transgender and gender non-conforming leaders and activists will be honored. Both events will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.” [Washington Blade]
Nearby: Serious Crash on Route 50 — Westbound Arlington Blvd was closed near the Arlington border Tuesday afternoon for a serious motorcycle crash and a subsequent Fairfax County Police investigation. The crash happened near the intersection of Arlington Blvd and Olin Drive in Falls Church. [Twitter]
Flickr pool photo by Erinn Shirley
Those traveling to, from and through Arlington may need to pack their patience this weekend, depending on the route and time of day.
Both directions of Route 50 will be closed in the area of Wilson Blvd in Seven Corners, from Friday night to Monday morning, to allow VDOT to lift a new, 87-foot Wilson Blvd bridge span into place. Drivers are being encouraged to avoid the area if possible.
More from a VDOT press release:
Eastbound and westbound Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) at the Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) interchange and eastbound Wilson Boulevard (Route 613) between the eastbound Route 50 service road and the westbound Route 50 service road will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, August 2 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 5 to safely demolish the Wilson Boulevard bridge deck over Route 50 and install the new bridge deck, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Eastbound Route 50 traffic will be detoured via the eastbound Route 50 service road back to Route 50, and westbound Route 50 traffic will be detoured via the westbound service road back to Route 50.
Eastbound Wilson Boulevard traffic will be detoured via Route 7, Patrick Henry Drive, Route 50 and the westbound Route 50 service road back to Wilson Boulevard.
Drivers can expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes.
The work is part of the Wilson Boulevard over Route 50 bridge rehabilitation project. After the weekend closure, drivers can expect single-lane closures on Route 50 and the eastbound Wilson Boulevard bridge until late fall. The project is scheduled for completion this winter.
Seven Corners: Reminder, the new Wilson Blvd bridge will be lifted into place this weekend! We’ll have Rt 50EB & WB closed from Fri PM to Mon AM. Plan now to avoid the area. More: https://t.co/vAPJgncv0A pic.twitter.com/Cjpohish3F
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) August 1, 2019
Also this weekend, “significant lane closures” are planned along I-395.
The work, part of the 395 Express Lanes project, will close multiple northbound lanes at night, starting Friday. Drivers are being encouraged to use the HOV lanes of I-395, which will be switched to the northbound direction starting at 8 p.m. tonight.
More on the I-395 work, from VDOT:
Northbound I-395 from Duke Street (Exit 3) to past the Pentagon City/Crystal City exit (Exit 8C) will have nighttime lane closures Friday night, August 2 through Sunday night, August 4 for bridge work. The I-395 HOV lanes will be switched to northbound at 8 p.m. Friday and will remain northbound all weekend. The 95 Express Lanes from Edsall Road to Garrisonville Road will operate on a standard schedule; on Saturday from midnight to 2 p.m., the 95 Express Lanes will operate in the southbound direction while the I-395 HOV lanes are open northbound.
Significant lane closures along I-395 North this weekend, Aug. 2-4, from Duke Street (Exit 3) to past Pentagon City/Crystal City (Exit 8C) for bridge rehab work. Switched HOV lanes will help. Just follow the signs. https://t.co/CDDBVNJ8zx pic.twitter.com/w8zzOhnA8T
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) August 1, 2019
Photo via VDOT/Twitter
A cyclist was struck and injured along an on-ramp in the Lyon Park neighborhood this afternoon.
First responders were dispatched to a scene just after 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) for a report of a cyclist struck by a vehicle on the ramp to and from from eastbound Washington Blvd and westbound Arlington Blvd. The cyclist was in a crosswalk when he was struck by the driver, said Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Lt. Michael Sheeran.
The victim was transported via ambulance to George Washington University Hospital with traumatic but non-life-threatening injuries, Sheeran said.
The ramp was closed for about 45 minutes, leading to backups on both Arlington and Washington boulevards, but has since reopened.
No word yet on whether the driver will face any charges.
Map via Google Maps. Ashley Hopko, Vernon Miles and Airey contributed to this report.
(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) The ramp from eastbound Route 50 to the Roosevelt Bridge is closed due to a serious crash involving a motorcycle.
The exact circumstances around the crash are unclear, but initial reports suggest a motorcyclist lost control and crashed into a guardrail around 12:40 p.m., potentially suffering broken bones and other injuries.
The rider was transported via ambulance to a local trauma center in critical condition, according to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Ben O’Bryant. Arlington County Police later clarified that the rider’s condition was critical, but with non-life-threatening injuries.
ACPD's Critical Accident Team is investigating a single vehicle accident involving a motorcycle. The driver was transported to an area hospital with critical but non-life threatening injuries. The roadway remains closed as detectives process the scene. Seek alternate routes. https://t.co/80KtVv9UBf
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) June 4, 2019
Map via Google Maps
VC Firms Eyeing Arlington, D.C. — “Two venture capital firms that have invested mostly in tech companies in the middle of the country are keeping their eye on Greater Washington in the wake of Amazon.com Inc.’s decision to place its second headquarters in Arlington.” [Washington Business Journal]
Owl Rescued from Middle School — “Last week, [the Animal Welfare League of Arlington] got a call from a local middle school that an owl was trapped in their boiler room. Officers Toussaint and White responded and were able to safely remove the owl.” [Facebook, Twitter]
Five-Vehicle Crash on Route 50 — At least two people were reported injured after a five-vehicle crash on Route 50 yesterday afternoon. [Twitter]
Wild Press Conference Near Rosslyn — “Pro-Trump operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman… hosted a bizarre press conference in the driveway of Burkman’s Arlington, Va. home, while being frequently interrupted by noise from nearby garbage trucks.” [The Daily Beast]
Arlington Org Office Attacked in Kabul — The Kabul, Afghanistan office of Crystal City-based non-governmental organization Counterpart International was attacked yesterday. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack. [CNN, Counterpart International]
Nearby: Silver Diner Coming to Alexandria — Silver Diner is seeking permission to open a new location at 4610 King Street, in a new development in the City of Alexandria, near Arlington’s Claremont and Fairlington neighborhoods. [Patch]
Flickr pool photo by John Sonderman
(Updated 2:15 p.m.) A crash involving a motorcycle and a subsequent fire prompted the temporary closure of the westbound lanes of Arlington Blvd near Courthouse around noon today.
Firefighters were called to the scene around 11:55 a.m. for a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV. First responders reported that the motorcycle was on fire as they arrived on scene.
ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage said all lanes re-opened at 1 p.m. and that the motorcycle rider was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
“The driver of the vehicle did not sustain any injuries, remained on scene and was cited with unsafe lane changes,” added Savage.
Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Ben O’Bryant told ARLnow that firefighters had doused the flames “quickly.”
At 12:45 p.m. two lanes were still shut down under the 10th Street bridge and firefighters were again hosing down the motorcycle, which had by that point been placed on the bed of a tow truck.
Update at 3 p.m. — Power has been restored to Dominion customers in western Arlington, though more than 1,500 remain without power in the Bailey’s Crossroads area of Fairfax County.
Power Restored at 2:33pm. Thank you @ArlingtonVaPD @APSFacilities @DomEnergyVA Thank You Top Flight Staff for continuing instruction. Have a safe afternoon!
— Kenmore MS (@APSKenmore) February 25, 2019
Earlier: Thousands are without power in Arlington Monday afternoon, following a major outage in the western portion of the county.
The outage was first reported around 1 p.m., after a tree fell onto power lines near the intersection of Route 50 and Carlin Springs Road. All told, including an ongoing outage along N. Glebe Road, nearly 2,750 Dominion customers are without power in Arlington.
Traffic signals are reported to be dark along S. Carlin Springs Road, from Route 50 to Columbia Pike. Police are on scene, setting up cones and helping to direct traffic. The ramps from Route 50 to Carlin Springs have been closed.
Arlington Public Schools says Kenmore Middle School and Campbell Elementary are currently without power and unable to receive phone calls.
The large outage is also affecting parts of neighboring Alexandria and Fairfax County. As of 1:15 p.m., Dominion was reporting about 1,000 outages in Alexandria and more than 8,000 outages in Fairfax.
Numerous trees are down around the area as a result of today’s widespread wind storm.
ACPD is responding to the report of a traffic light outage in the area of S. Carlin Springs Road and Arlington Blvd. With today's High Wind Warning, we may see additional outages. Remember to treat all uncontrolled intersections as a FOUR WAY STOP. pic.twitter.com/T508DkFreH
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) February 25, 2019
INCIDENT: Power Outage
LOCATION: Carlin Springs Rd at Arlington Blvd
IMPACT: Access to Carlin Springs Rd at Arlington Blvd is closed in both directions until further notice due to a power outage. Follow police direction. pic.twitter.com/5Iv3Zcfjj9— Arlington Alert (@arlingtonalert) February 25, 2019
There is a power outage affecting the neighborhoods of @CampbellAPS, @apscs and @APSKenmore Schools cannot make or receive phone calls at this time.
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) February 25, 2019
Some local maximum wind gusts in miles-per-hour. pic.twitter.com/xkwo9jYZ7L
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) February 25, 2019
(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) Firefighters battled an intense vehicle fire today in front of the Arlington Assembly of God Church, along Route 50 in the Arlington Forest neighborhood.
Initial reports suggest that a food truck caught fire, though the vehicle was later reported to be a work van. A traffic camera showed flames and a thick column of smoke coming from the van as firefighters arrived on scene. The smoke could be seen from as far away as Crystal City.
The fire was extinguished after a few minutes and no one was injured. The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause.
Engine 109 arrived to find this work van fully involved in the 4700 block of Arlington Blvd this morning. No injuries were reported. Fire Marshals are investigating the cause. Consider keeping a #FireExtinguisher in your vehicle safety kit. You never know when you may need one. pic.twitter.com/Dg6xyYGZxu
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) January 8, 2019
Significant dark smoke visible from Crystal City – maybe a car fire on 395 near Army Navy CC? @WTOPtraffic @ARLnowDOTcom
— William F. Yurasko (@doubleuefwhy) January 8, 2019
