Amy Freedman, wtop.com

VDOT will close all lanes of the Beltway Inner Loop at I-66, Exit 49 tonight, Thursday, July 26 from 9:30 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday morning. If inclement weather should occur, the work will be rescheduled for the weekend.

This closure is part of the 495 Express Lanes Project and will allow for needed milling and paving. There will be a posted detour.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - The District Department of Transportation(DDOT) will close the exit ramp to M Street SE/ Navy Yard from the Inbound 11th Street Bridge on Wednesday July 25. Starting at 8 p.m. the right lane before the ramp will close with the full closure of the ramp scheduled for 10 p.m. The ramp and lane should be reopen by 5 a.m. This closure is to facilitate a lane restriping operation. Detours will be posted.

Also beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday until 5 a.m. Thursday, DDOT will close the Howard Rd ramp from DC 295 southbound to begin the final paving operations related to the 11th Street bridge project. This closure will also take place Saturday July 28 from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This closure is to facilitate a lane restriping operation. Detours will be posted.

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Amy Freedman, wtop.com

After an extremely difficult Friday rush hour, the new ongoing work zone which was blocking 1 turning lane onto DC 295 NB from Pennsylvania Ave./Sousa Bridge, is now on the ramp itself.

The most recent work zone configuration has the two lanes turning left from Pennsylvania Avenue moving immediately past the jersey wall into one lane as you merge onto DC 295 NB. This work, or work in this general area is projected to be in place for eight months.

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Amy Freedman, wtop.com
Tim Bracken, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Temperatures are expected to be a bit more tolerable this weekend, but that doesn't mean the region gets a break from the usual weekend travel delays.

Metro will have two station closures on the Red Line, along with single tracking on the Green, Blue, and Orange lines. Significant delays are expected on the Outer Loop near the Wilson Bridge, and overnight construction closures will continue on the Beltway near Interstate 66.

Read on for the details, and have a great weekend!

Metro construction

Metro Track work continues over the weekend on the Red, Green, Blue and Orange lines. The work begins at 10 p.m. Friday continuing through system closing on Sunday.

Red Line

• Buses replace trains between Grosvenor and Friendship Heights stations.
• Medical Center and Bethesda stations will be closed.
• Trains will operate in two segments: between Shady Grove and Grosvenor and between Friendship Heights and Glenmont every 10 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
• Expect delays of 30 minutes.

• Single tracking between Fort Totten and Prince George's Plaza.
• Allow 10 minutes additional travel time.

• Single tracking between Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield.
• Trains will run at/near normal weekend times.
• Between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every other Blue Line train will begin/end at Van Dorn Street rather than Franconia-Springfield.
• To and from Franconia-Springfield station, allow 15 minutes additional time.

• Single tracking between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.
• Trains will leave New Carrollton every 24 minutes.
• Between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. additional trains will run between Vienna and Stadium-Armory providing service every 12 minutes.

• No work scheduled, but trains will begin and end at Mount Vernon Square rather than Fort Totten due to work on the Green Line.
• Travelling north of Mount Vernon Square use the Green Line.

Beltway construction

Watch out for overnight work near the Wilson Bridge this weekend. Here are the details:

• The ramps from Telegraph Road to the Inner Loop of Interstate 495 will be closed at 9 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Saturday.
• From 9 p.m. Friday until 8 p.m. Saturday, the Outer Loop LOCAL lanes will be diverted to the Eisenhower Connector exit, and only one THRU lane will be open to travel. Significant delays are expected.
• From 9 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, the ramps from Telegraph Road to the Outer Loop of I-495 wil be closed.
• Detour signs will be posted throughout the weekend.

Between 9:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, the following Beltway construction closures are scheduled to continue:

• Temporary closures of both loops of the Beltway I-495 between I-66 and Route 50/Arlington Boulevard.
• Closures are also possible for westbound I-66 and the Dulles Toll Road at the Beltway.

Rockville Pike lane closures

Maryland highway officials are closing lanes along north and southbound MD 355 (Rockville Pike) between Jones Bridge Road and North Drive in Bethesda this weekend for median reconstruction work.

On Saturday - weather permitting - crews will close the left lane in both directions of Rockville Pike beginning at 7 a.m. They also will intermittently close the middle lane in each direction throughout the weekend. Lanes will be open to traffic no later than 5 a.m. Monday.

Crystal City Twilighter 5k

The Crystal City Twilighter 5k is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The course will take runners along Crystal Drive, and will not affect traffic on Route 1.

Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest

The multi-event Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest will kick off around 7 p.m. Saturday at Rockville Town Center. Runners will compete for cash prizes. Watch for street closures around the Montgomery College Rockville campus.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Friday afternoon rush hour was highly impacted by a new work zone on the ramp to DC 295 Kenilworth Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue at the Sousa Bridge.

This work zone reduces the left turn to DC 295 into one lane. It has been set up as a long-term work zone.

The delays experienced Friday extended at times from before the Pentagon across the length of the SW/SE Freeway to the Anacostia bridges.

The area is already tricky and congested during rush hour. But delays such as these could be a daily occurrence as the new work zone is projected to be in place for eight months.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - A new traffic pattern will take effect Route 29 southbound at U.S. Route 40 near Ellicott City starting Thursday, July 19.

Two lanes will get by the work zone to the left and one lane will get by to the right. Drivers can also expect single or double lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The speed limit on Route 29 in that stretch has been reduced to 50 mph. Drivers should be aware that speed cameras will be in use throughout the work zone.

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Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - DDOT is planning a milling and paving operation on DC 295 in both directions between the Suitland Parkway and Malcolm X Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10.

A minimum of one traffic lane will be open in each direction at all times. Variable message signs will be in place.

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Amy Freedman, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Through Friday, July 14, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project will close I-66 between Route 267 and Route 7 nightly between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Police will be on-site to help facilitate the closure and detour.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Tim Bracken, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - With temperatures expected to rise above 100 degrees, Metro will allow riders to bring water onto buses and trains this weekend. There will be lots of traffic around Nationals Park all weekend, with games scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Rescheduled construction work will close Interstate 66, and Alexandria celebrates its birthday with cake and fireworks. Read on for the details, and have a great weekend.

Canal Road closures

On Monday, paving crews are scheduled to work in the District on Canal Road. Between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Canal Road will have alternating single lane closures between Arizona Avenue and Reservoir Road NW.

I-66 construction closures

Starting 10 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday, westbound I-66 at the Beltway will have only one lane open while crews remove an old overhead box girder. After midnight, all lanes will be temporarily blocked for up to 30 minutes at a time. A one-hour stoppage could take place between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Beltway construction closure

Starting at 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, the Inner Loop ramp to Telegraph Road will be closed for construction. Drivers will have to exit to the Eisenhower Avenue connector for the posted detour.

Alexandria birthday celebration

Head out to Oronoco Bay Park this Saturday for Alexandria's birthday celebration. Between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, birthday cake, and fireworks.

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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Tim Bracken, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - In the midst of dealing with power outages and storm damage, the District will have its annual Independence Day Parade and fireworks display.

The 11 a.m. baseball game at National Park will also add to the influx of visitors.

Metro service information

If you are one of the thousands making your way into D.C., Metro is likely to be the best travel choice. Follow think link for more information on Metro's July 4th service information.

Metro will be working overtime on Wednesday - service hours will be 7 a.m. to midnight, with extra trains running from 6 p.m. to midnight. All track work will be suspended as well.

Metro is also asking customers not to use the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations, which will both be "entry-only" after the fireworks.

Metro suggests traveling to and from the following stations:

• Foggy Bottom-GWU
• Metro Center
• Archives
• Gallery Place
• Judiciary Square
• Union Station
• L'Enfant Plaza
• Capitol South - The elevator at Capitol South is out of service for a major rehabilitation project.
• Federal Center SW
• Arlington Cemetery

More important travel info from Metro:

• Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule for most of the day, ramping up to near rush-hour service levels in the evening hours. Trains will operate on a regular service pattern; Rush+ will not be in effect.
• Smithsonian Station will be available for entry-only following the fireworks display.
• Metro will operate a combination of six and eight-car trains on most rail lines. Customers should check platform displays and spread out along the platform to use all available cars. An eight-car train will take up the entire length of the platform.
• Escalators at many downtown Metro stations will be intentionally turned off to help meter the flow of customers entering the system.
• Beginning at 2 p.m., every other Orange Line train traveling in the direction of New Carrollton will terminate at Stadium-Armory and return to Vienna.
• Beginning at 6 p.m., all Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square stations only.
• Beginning at 6 p.m., trains will depart every eight minutes from the end of each rail line and trains will depart every four minutes from Shady Grove and Vienna stations. Trains will operate about every four minutes in the downtown core of Washington.
• Parking will be free at all Metrorail stations.
• Due to capacity constraints, bicycles will not be permitted within the Metrorail system.

Street closures

Driving into the District will be extremely difficult on Wednesday. Most streets around the National Mall will close between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., with more closures added ahead of the parade at 11 a.m.

Here is a list of road closures that you can expect to find in D.C.:

• The Arlington Memorial Bridge and Memorial Circle closed.
• Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue NW to Lincoln Memorial Circle, including all approaches and ramps.
• Lincoln Memorial Circle and all approaches and ramps into and out of Lincoln Memorial Circle -- including Henry Bacon Drive.
• Ramp from the Roosevelt Bridge to Constitution Avenue NW and Ohio Drive SW.
• Inbound traffic on I-66 will be directed to the "E" Street Expressway.
• Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street, NW to 14th Street NW
• 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd Streets NW between Constitution Avenue NW and C Street NW.
• 18th Street NW between Constitution Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW.
• Virginia Avenue NW between Constitution Avenue NW and 18th Street NW
• 15th Street NW from E Street NW to Raoul Wallenberg Place SW.
• Raoul Wallenberg Place SW to Maine Avenue SW.
• Independence Avenue SW west of 14th Street SW to 23rd Street SW, including the merge with Rock Creek Parkway.
• Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW
• Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW.
• 7th Street NW between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW.
• 4th Street NW between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW.
• Ohio Drive SW from the Inlet Bridge to Independence Avenue SW.
• West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW;
• Ramps from the George Washington Parkway, Route 110, and VA-27 to Memorial Circle.
• 3rd Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Maryland Avenue SW.
• 14th Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW.
• Ramps from the George Washington Parkway to northbound I-395/14th Street Bridge closed.
• East Basin Drive SW at the ramp ramp to the 14th Street Bridge.

Parking in D.C. on July 4

Parking throughout the area around the National Mall will be extremely limited on July 4.

D.C. has no parking restrictions on the following streets from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.:

• 3rd Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 4th Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 7th Street, from Independence to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 14th Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 15th Street, from Constitution to E Street, NW
• 17th Street, from Constitution to E Street, NW
• Constitution Avenue, both sides, from Pennsylvania Avenue, west to 23rd Street, NW
• 10th Street, NW, between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW
• 14th Street, NW, between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW
• C Street, NW, from 17th to 18th Streets, (Both Sides)
• Virginia Avenue, NW from Constitution Avenue to 21st Street, NW

D.C. bridges

Drivers should be advised that the 14th Street Bridge and the Roosevelt Bridge will remain open throughout the day. There is no parking or stopping on the bridges. Any vehicles that stop on the bridge will be immediately ticketed and towed.

Parades/Events

Capitol Hill July 4th parade:

The annual parade on Capitol Hill will form at 8th and I Streets, Southeast at 8 a.m. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. at the Eastern Market Metro Plaza. The parade will proceed north on 8th Street, and west on D Street, Southeast. to the park at 7th and D streets, Southeast where it will disband. There will be rolling street closures during this event.

Palisades annual July 4th parade:

The parade begins at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard Northwest, and proceeds Northwest on MacArthur, left on Edmunds Place, left on Sherier Place, and a right into the Palisades Recreation Center. Road closures begin at 12 p.m. and conclude at approximately 1:30 p.m. MacArthur Boulevard will be closed from Reservoir Road to Arizona Ave. for this event. There will be rolling street closures during this event.

National Archives July 4th Declaration of Independence reading:

From 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Constitution Avenue, Northwest between 7th and 9th Streets will closed for this event.

Capital Bikeshare

On July 4, Capital Bikeshare will be providing a bike corral at the 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, Northwest station to handle the large number of riders expected to use the system to visit the National Mall. The corral will be made available from noon to until one hour after the fireworks are over.

With the large number of road closures in the DC area on July 4, rebalancing vehicles will likely experience delays. Also, with the expected heavy use of Capital Bikeshare during the evening on Wednesday, July 4, bike availability may be an issue during the morning rush hours on Thursday, July 5. Check the Capital Bikeshare website for more information.

Arlington closures

Arlington police advise that the following closures will be in place:

2 p.m. to Midnight

• Eastbound Washington Boulevard between I-395 (exit 8B) and Memorial Bridge.
• N. Meade Street from Marshall Drive to Route 50 (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be from the Rhodes Street bridge).
• Marshall Drive from Route 110 to N. Meade Street.
• Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive.
• Exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street (Rosslyn exit).

5 p.m. to Midnight

• Long Bridge Drive from Boundary Channel Drive to S. 10th Street (access to Long Bridge Park via shuttle buses from Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stops).

7 p.m. to Midnight

• Eastbound Rt. 50 at N. Pershing Drive (detour using Washington Boulevard).
• Columbia Pike between S. Orme Street and the Pentagon.
• S. Joyce Street from Army Navy Drive to Columbia Pike.
• Ramp from westbound Washington Boulevard to eastbound Columbia Pike.
• Ramp from westbound Washington Boulevard to westbound Columbia Pike.

8:30 p.m. to Midnight

• Ft. Myer Drive from Wilson Boulevard to the Meade Street bridge (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be from the Rhodes Street bridge).

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