Warning*Those Driving thru DC this Weekend

[Renysmom]

News just announced that they will close a large portion of 95 NORTH, to one lane from 8:00 p.m. Friday night until 5:00 a.m. Monday morning.. This will be right at the DC/MD/VA line. They are expecting 20-30 mile backups all weekend

They have to do this to complete one of the bridges that is bing constructed to assist in the widenning of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (the bridge over the Potomac between VA and MD just outside DC).

Here is my suggested alternative for you: Take 95 North through Fredricksburg headed to DC. Take the 234 Dumfries/Manassas exit towards Manassas. Take Rt 234 16 miles to Interstae 66, take I-66 about 15 miles to 495 towards Rockville MD, its a left side ramp off 66, take 495 around DC where it will meet up with 95 North again.

You will drive about 40 more miles but you will miss the entire backup by doing this.

Any of my fellow NVA's neighbors know of any other alternative routes to assist our weary travelers? I would say 301 to MD but I don't know the directions.

 

[Renysmom]

I just found an article that explains it all..

http://tinyurl.com/a9mxj

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks for the heads up! We're driving, and already planned on leaving Friday morning...I would have changed my plans for that one!

 

[Kilted_Yank]

Good Call!

I live in Woodbridge, and have no plans to go anywhere near the S'field interchange this weekend.

The 1st Sergeant of the Va. State Police office that patrols that area is in an office across the hall from me and he says that they expect 20 mile back-ups all weekend.

 

[Toni300z]

Wow, so glad i am in Maryland dont have to go no where near 95, dc or VA this weekend. It can get pretty bad on 495 especiall near northern VA. Ick!

 

[Renysmom]

Bumping this back up so all will see

 

[MiniMe]

I was reading about this on my way to work this morning...so glad that I will not be heading that way on the beltway this weekend.

I would definately avoid it if you can because they estimates on how bad the backup are probably optimistic and in reality will be worse.

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Everyone,
We are leaving Philly (driving) on I-95 Friday afternoon. This is ONLY Northbound??? I shouldn't have to worry if I'm going Southbound??

I hope I'm reading this right.

 

[crzy4dsny]

What kind of work are they doing here? It looks like they are building a new draw bridge that is just a little higher than the existing drawbridge. Why don't they just make it higher and not make it a draw bridge at all?

 

[freakylick]

I have to be honest, 20-30 miles sounds like a low estimate to me. I have traveled through that area on weekends before and been in back-ups that long for normal traffic. Go down to one lane and boy am I glad I won't be anywhere near there this weekend...If I was, I would find my way via 301 (done it once before, but don't remember it well enough to give directions..sorry)

 

[SleepingUgly]

I would actually suggest leaving I-95 earlier than the Route 234 exit. Get off at the Route 17 exit (right after Fredericksburg), head towards the direction of Manassas. From there, you can get to Interstate 66 and follow the OP's suggested route, or you can continue on the local roads, get to Route 28 and head north and meet up with Route 15 (via Route 7), which takes you into the Frederick, MD area.

I've heard on the news that they are expecting this to impact traff all the way down to the Outer Banks of NC. Yikes!

Linda

 

[nicurn]

28 north can be dicey too now that they are doing all the road construction on it from about the toll road to practically route 7. maggie

 

[tekmom]

We are driving down I95 south from new york, on saturday morning, to disney...does it affect us, we're going south????

 

[CPer'sMom]

We are driving down I95 south from new york, on saturday morning, to disney...does it affect us, we're going south????

It won't affect you directly as they shouldn't be closing or diverting any of the southbound lanes. But it will still slow sb traffic down with all the "lookers". If you have to go Saturday morning, I would advise you to go as early as possible. Otherwise you will need a tremendous amount of patience.

 

[tekmom]

Thank you, we're leaving at about 4 am....hope that makes it a little better.