Dr. Gridlock - The transportation guide around the Beltway and beyond.

Posted at 10:52 AM ET, 09/18/2012

New GW Parkway project to slow traffic through fall

By Robert Thomson

Parkway drivers are complaining about a rock stabilization project that shuts the left lane northbound.

By Robert Thomson | 10:52 AM ET, 09/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Virginia, Commuting, Construction, Highways | Tags: DC transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Rosslyn, George Washington Parkway

Posted at 07:32 PM ET, 07/31/2012

Virginia announces final deal on I-95 express lanes

By Robert Thomson

Construction of the high-occupancy vehicle lanes on I-95 is scheduled to start very soon and be done around the end of 2014.

By Robert Thomson | 07:32 PM ET, 07/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Virginia, Highways, Transportation Politics | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, I-95 Express Lanes, I-495 Express Lanes, HOT lanes, Capital Beltway, Gov. McDonnell

Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 07/30/2012

11th Street Bridge, Beltway bottlenecks, Metro parking: the week ahead for traffic, transit

By Robert Thomson

While commuter traffic is slipping into a mid-summer lull, several road projects in the D.C. region are scheduled to score major breakthroughs in the coming week.

By Robert Thomson | 01:55 PM ET, 07/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Commuting, Metro, Capital Beltway, Highways | Tags: DC transportation, Metro, WMATA, District Department of Transportation, 11th Street Bridge, Virginia Department of Transportation, Wilson Bridge, Capital Beltway, Maryland Department of Transportation

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 05/18/2012

Andrews air show, Nationals vs. Orioles, soccer, new 11th St. Bridge route: the weekend and beyond

By Robert Thomson

It’s a busy weekend for events and travel delays in the D.C. region.

By Robert Thomson | 11:45 AM ET, 05/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Weekend Work, Events, Metro, Highways, Construction | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation, Nationals, Andrews air show, District Department of Transportation, 11th Street Bridge, DC United

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 05/17/2012

Nats fan offers ballpark travel tips by Circulator, Metro

By Robert Thomson

Metro’s Green Line to Nationals Park is never a problem, baseball fan says, but return is something else

By Robert Thomson | 08:59 AM ET, 05/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Metro, Events, District, Driving, Highways, Traffic Safety, Transit | Tags: DC transportation, Metro, WMATA, Nationals, Virginia Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation

Posted at 02:04 PM ET, 05/09/2012

D.C. closing freeway ramp near 11th Street Bridge

By Robert Thomson

The District Department of Transportation is shutting a ramp for Eighth Street SE in preparation for a new route on the 11th Street Bridge.

By Robert Thomson | 02:04 PM ET, 05/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Construction, Highways, District | Tags: DC transportation, District Department of Transportation, 11th Street Bridge

Posted at 03:49 PM ET, 05/08/2012

Southbound I-95: Drivers warn of heavy traffic, offer tips to avoid the worst of it

By Robert Thomson

Interstate 95 south of D.C. is bad, whether on weekdays in the spring or summer weekends, drivers advise.

By Robert Thomson | 03:49 PM ET, 05/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Driving, Highways, Getaways | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, Getaways

Posted at 10:39 AM ET, 04/29/2012

Why charge carpoolers who already help traffic?

By Robert Thomson

Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean T. Connaughton says the commonwealth expects much higher costs to operate its E-ZPass system, but how should a user fee be structured?

By Robert Thomson | 10:39 AM ET, 04/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Transportation Politics, Highways, Driving | Tags: DC transportation, Virginia Department of Transportation, E-ZPass

Posted at 09:27 AM ET, 01/31/2012

ICC speed limit holding at 55 for now

By Robert Thomson

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley referred during a WTOP radio interview Monday to the possibility of raising the speed limit on the Intercounty Connector, but it’s not a done deal.

By Robert Thomson | 09:27 AM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Maryland, Highways

Posted at 10:27 AM ET, 12/07/2011

Drivers remain curious about Intercounty Connector

By Robert Thomson

The tolling that resumed Monday may have damped drivers’ enthusiasm for Maryland’s Intercounty Connector , but they do continue to ask questions and offer suggestions about the highway.

By Robert Thomson | 10:27 AM ET, 12/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Commuting, Highways, Maryland

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 12/06/2011

Interstate 66 in the spotlight this month

By Robert Thomson

The Virginia Department of Transportation has scheduled two public meetings this month to discuss possible improvements for Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway. Meanwhile, a two-mile segment on the westbound side of the highway has been widened.

By Robert Thomson | 10:11 AM ET, 12/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Virginia, Highways

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Maryland to monitor ICC traffic

By Robert Thomson

The Maryland’s transportation agencies say they are going to monitor traffic on the Intercounty Connector and the roads around it following the Tuesday morning opening, and can adjust the traffic signals and lane access if they find knots of congestion.

By Robert Thomson | 04:57 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Maryland

Posted at 03:48 PM ET, 11/21/2011

The Intercounty Connector: Travelers are eager for a test

By Robert Thomson

Many drivers want to know if the highway is going to be useful. Dr. Gridlock has some answers.

By Robert Thomson | 03:48 PM ET, 11/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Maryland, Getaways

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 09/27/2011

First HOT lanes meeting draws small crowd

By Robert Thomson

The first of three public meetings on a major change in Interstate 95 commuting drew a small crowd to a fire hall in Woodbridge Monday night.

By Robert Thomson | 09:54 AM ET, 09/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Commuting, Highways, Transportation Politics, Virginia

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 09/21/2011

Virginia advances I-95 HOT lanes plan

By Robert Thomson

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold three public meetings next week on its plan to create high-occupancy toll lanes along I-95 between the Beltway and Spotsylvania County.

By Robert Thomson | 12:37 PM ET, 09/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Virginia, Highways, Transportation Politics

Posted at 03:46 PM ET, 09/13/2011

Intercounty Connector looking done from I-95

By Robert Thomson

While the next phase of Maryland’s Intercounty Connector looks about done, the schedule for opening the rest of the toll road has not changed.

By Robert Thomson | 03:46 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Construction, Maryland, Highways

Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 07/15/2011

Route 29 traffic shift for Intercounty Connector

By Robert Thomson

Drivers heading south on Route 29 in Montgomery County will need to look sharp next week to catch the new exit for left turns at Fairland Road.

By Robert Thomson | 01:55 PM ET, 07/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Maryland, Highways

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 07/05/2011

I-66 West reopens after truck fire

By Washington Post Editors

A truck carrying a load of hay overturned and caught fire between Routes 123 and 50 on Interstate 66. The road remain blocked for almost five hours.All lanes reopened about 6:20 p.m.

By Washington Post Editors | 02:24 PM ET, 07/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways

Posted at 09:04 AM ET, 06/10/2011

Repairs underway on Anacostia Freeway

By Robert Thomson

Drivers are facing traffic delays while repairs are being done on five bridges along Interstate 295.

By Robert Thomson | 09:04 AM ET, 06/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: District, Highways

Posted at 11:37 AM ET, 04/05/2011

No-EZPass grace period expires on the ICC

By Luke Rosiak

Drivers traveling on the Intercounty Connector without an EZPass transponder will be charged $3 beginning at midnight April 6.

By Luke Rosiak | 11:37 AM ET, 04/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Maryland, Highways | Tags: ICC, Intercounty Connector, Maryland

Posted at 02:27 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Va. governor extends hybrids in HOV lanes

By Robert Thomson

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed a one-year extension of the temporary law allowing solo drivers to use the lanes meant for carpoolers.

By Robert Thomson | 02:27 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways | Tags: Dr. Gridlock, Virginia Department of Transportation

Posted at 03:24 PM ET, 08/24/2010

Va. police step up wknd. patrols

By Michael Bolden

If you received a ticket on Interstate 66 this past weekend, you were caught in a traffic safety initiative by the Virginia State Police. The effort increased the presence of troopers on both I-66 and Interstate 64. On I-66, troopers...

By Michael Bolden | 03:24 PM ET, 08/24/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Highways, Highways

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 07/26/2010

Md. proposes ICC bus service

By Luke Rosiak

Readers have asked Dr. Gridlock about mass transit on the Inter-County Connector, the controversial highway in the works for more than half a century, and Maryland officials have weighed in with an answer. They're proposing two express bus routes are expected to operate along the new Intercounty Connector and existing roads connecting P & R lots in Montgomery County to the BWI Airport, MARC Penn Line, and Fort Meade when the first stretch of highway opens.

By Luke Rosiak | 09:10 AM ET, 07/26/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways | Tags: Inter-county connector

Posted at 08:10 AM ET, 07/23/2010

Md. town issues 1,100 red-light fines

By Michael Bolden

Westminster, Md., police say they have issued 1,125 citations for violations at five red-light cameras since they went into operation March 15. By contrast, the District, which says it has 49 camera locations, issues more than 6,000 violations a month.

By Michael Bolden | 08:10 AM ET, 07/23/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Highways

Posted at 06:27 PM ET, 07/01/2010

Higher speed limit debuts in Va.

By Michael Bolden

Crews install 70 mph speed limit signs on Interstate 295 near Richmond. (Trevor Wrayton, VDOT) A 27-mile stretch of Interstate 295 near Richmond will be the first section of Virginia interstate where motorists will be able to legally travel...

By Michael Bolden | 06:27 PM ET, 07/01/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Highways

Posted at 04:22 PM ET, 06/30/2010

Va. State Police to increase patrols

By Michael Bolden

Planning your getaway | SoberRide has funds for Fourth Virginia State Police will increase traffic enforcement efforts for the Independence Day holiday weekend. Stepped-up patrols aimed at catching speeders, impaired drivers and failure to use occupant restraints will begin Friday...

By Michael Bolden | 04:22 PM ET, 06/30/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Highways, Highways

Posted at 08:23 AM ET, 06/29/2010

More people to travel for Fourth

By Michael Bolden

The number of people who say they plan to head away from the Washington region in the coming holiday weekend is 18.4 percent higher than last year but still below pre-recession levels.

By Michael Bolden | 08:23 AM ET, 06/29/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways, Highways, Highways, Highways, Highways, Highways, Highways

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 06/24/2010

New welcome center in Del. on 95

By Michael Bolden

Drivers traveling through Delaware on Interstate 95 will soon be greeted by a new welcome center.

By Michael Bolden | 09:20 AM ET, 06/24/2010 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Highways

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