Drivers---Any construction around Washington?

[Barb A.]

Making the trip from Philly next month. Anyone know if there is any major construction in the Wash. area? If so, any advice on avoiding it. Thanks

 

[CherCrazy]

We've been driving south on 95 for YEARS!! There is always construction on 95 in Washington. I don't think they will ever, ever, ever be done.

I will say though that it is getting better with all the changes.....BUT....the traffic is heavier than ever before.

 

[JimFitz]

We are leaving Saturday night from NJ at about 6PM which will put us in DC at around 10pm Saturday night. I am concerned about construction as well and I am thinking about taking 81, but hate to since I live so close to 95

 

[metivier]

Making the trip from Philly next month. Anyone know if there is any major construction in the Wash. area? If so, any advice on avoiding it. Thanks

The Wilson Bridge Project is pretty major. Here's a link with updated construction info:

http://www.wilsonbridge.com/cms/cms-conditions-lc.htm

 

[JimFitz]

The Wilson Bridge Project is pretty major. Here's a link with updated construction info:

http://www.wilsonbridge.com/cms/cms-conditions-lc.htm

Ok, correct me if I am wrong but if I leave on the 15th at 6pm and am in DC by 10pm then I am in the clear?

I read those dates and it makes no mention of 95 on the 15th!! Could I be that lucky?

 

[Onceler]

Ok, correct me if I am wrong but if I leave on the 15th at 6pm and am in DC by 10pm then I am in the clear?

At 10 pm on a Saturday, you will have a decent chance of getting through the area without hitting delays. But you still can hit delays. When they have to close lanes, they will usually do it during the night and on weekends. So even though there will be less traffic, you may still end up in some pretty bad backups. Of course, you could also cruise through without the slightest problem.

Something you should do is listen to traffic reports on the local radio as you approach the Washington area. WTOP (1500 am, 107.7 fm) has traffic reports every 10 minutes. That will let you know if there are any bad backups.

If there are delays on I95, a good alternate route is US 301 through southern Maryland into Virginia.

 

[WillCAD]

There is also construction on I-95 through south Baltimore, prior to the Ft. McHenry Tunnel. There is a lane split and a lot of signage, barrels, jersey walls, etc. Just stay left when the lanes split and keep your eyes open so you don't accidentally get into an exit lane.

No matter what, plan your schedule so that you get into Baltimore AFTER 6pm, so you will miss the rush hour (assuming you are driving on a weekday).

DCs rush hour runs much later, but if you hit Baltimore after 6, you won't hit DC till aftter 7, so the rush will be done there as well.

 

[lsayd]

The Wilson Project doesn't have an impact on your trip (you would take the Capital Beltway around DC going West toward Silver Spring, not East towards the Wilson Bridge) - however the Mixing Bowl project outside of Springfield, VA does (http://www.springfieldinterchange.com/default.asp). The traffic through northern VA until around Fredericksburg is pretty miserable during weekdays (and absolutely horrendous during the afternoon rush hour on weekdays, which sometimes starts as early as 2:30 in the afternoon), but you should be fine at 10 pm on a Sat. The only problem you should encounter would be if there are closures for the mixing bowl project. I wouldn't get off 95, since this is the most direct route, if you're traveling late at night or on the weekends. Hope this helps.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Chercrazy:
I can recall construction on I-95 (in the same area) since the 1970"s. Entire generations of construction worker's families will have been involved in I-95 work. Fathers, sons, grandsons!!

 

[lsayd]

Yes, we've lived down here for almost 23 years and the construction on 95 was already there when we moved here! Problem is, it's taking so long, once it's done, they'll have to start repairs!