A car apparently crashed into a utility pole next to the Lyon Village Community House this evening, splitting the pole in two and, in a chain reaction, knocking down a street light up the street.
The striking car reportedly took off after the accident.
The store has a decent selection of sandwiches, salads and ice cream. A sign out front suggested there would be burgers — maybe they’re still working on that, because it wasn’t on the menu. There were, however, hot dogs.
Ganges just opened so some initial kinks are to be expected. But on a visit this afternoon there were actually a few too many issues for comfort.
The good news is that both thoroughfares will remain open during construction of the new Washington Boulevard bridge, a three-year process that’s expected to begin next fall. Plus, all original travel lanes on each will be open during rush hour and during certain special events and federal holidays.
The bad news is that during the day, during construction, the re-routing of Columbia Pike traffic around the bridge may get a bit funky and cause some delays. The contractor selected to undertake the project will ultimately be able to design their own traffic management scheme, but the plan initially envisioned by VDOT involves directing Columbia Pike traffic up the existing ramps to a makeshift stop light on Washington Boulevard, turning Washington Boulevard and Columbia Pike into a four-way intersection.
Chain Bridge will be closed from 8:00 tonight to 5:00 Monday morning, Arlington County said today.
“There will be no access to the bridge from either the District of Columbia or Arlington, including access for cyclists and pedestrians,” the county advises.
Arlington County board member Chris Zimmerman has been appointed to a special task force of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.
The task force will try to find a way to prioritize the backlog of “unfunded transportation needs” around the DC area.
Last week Skanska USA applied for a demolition permit at the site. Barring any major obstacles, the buildings are expected to be gone by the end of the year.
In its place, Skanska, the American division of the Swedish construction conglomerate, is building a five-story office building that will include ground-level retail and 230 underground parking spaces. The project will also include the construction of a new road — an extension of Quinn Street that will break up the long block and connect Wilson Blvd with Clarendon Blvd.
In-person absentee voting started today, in advance of the November 2 election.
Election officials say two people have already cast ballots in the first hour of absentee voting. The voting is taking place on the third floor of 2100 Clarendon Blvd.
Planetarium Group to Sell Seats — You can now have your name etched permanently in the David M. Brown Planetarium. The Friends of the Planetarium, which is raising money for much-needed renovations, is offering to engrave brass plaques on the back of one of 55 seats, for a donation of $1,000 or more.
BRAC Meeting Gets Rowdy — For the most part, it was an informative and respectful discussion. But some folks couldn’t contain their anger at the lack of transportation planning related to Alexandria’s massive Mark Center project. Military officials heard an earful. The meeting was organized by Rep. Jim Moran, who has sponsored legislation to delay the move of 6,400 military jobs to the building until sufficient transportation infrastructure is in place. More from the Washington Post.
