(Updated at 3:10 p.m.) After a week of ineffectual laps around the Beltway, the “People’s Convoy” is now jamming up part of I-395 in Arlington.
The convoy, which features a mix of big rigs and personal vehicles, is intended to protest the Covid-related government mandates. It received considerable media attention last week but didn’t do much to disrupt traffic.
Today, however, it is heading into D.C. by way of Arlington and I-395, and creating traffic headaches and a lot of noise in the process.
Traffic cameras show flag-adorned protest vehicles moving at a snail’s pace in the main northbound lanes of I-395, approaching the 14th Street Bridge. Virginia State Police vehicles can also be seen, monitoring the demonstration. The northbound I-395 HOV lanes over the Potomac remain open and seem to be flowing freely.
Public safety watchdog Dave Statter, from his perch in Pentagon City, reports a non-stop honking of horns from the convoy.
Some of the backup can perhaps be explained by traffic restrictions in the District. Authorities there have blocked access from I-395 to 12th and 14th streets “to keep traffic moving safely through the area.”
“Motorists should expect traffic delays in reaching your destination,” the District said in a tweet shortly before 2 p.m. “If possible, you should consider delaying travel on these routes or use alternative transportation such as Metrorail.”
Metro, meanwhile, said the numerous bus lines heading to and from the Pentagon may be delayed due to the convoy.
As of 3 p.m., just over an after the convoy first reached the Pentagon City area, traffic was still slow approaching the Potomac crossings and in D.C.
Delays as a result of the convoy remain on NB I-395 approaching the 14th Street Bridge. It gets especially slow around the Pentagon. https://t.co/g1bwhF6DF7 https://t.co/GLsXOF4HJF
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) March 14, 2022
More via Twitter:
Watch: It's been extremely noisy. @DCPoliceDept shut down 14th St & 12th St. access, slowing I-395 before the convoy's arrival. Still slowly passing my location near the Pentagon. @ARLnowDOTcom @WTOPtraffic @WTOP #TruckersConvoy2022 #traffic #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/61yLgQOmhB
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 14, 2022
They're here. Truck convoy on I-395N just before the 14th Street Bridge. Quite loud. Police have access to downtown DC blocked. @WTOPtraffic @WTOP @hhowardWTOP @ARLnowDOTcom #ConvoyForFreedom2022 #TruckersConvoy2022 #police pic.twitter.com/N66ib62k92
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) March 14, 2022
7A/7C/7M/7P/7W/7Y/8S/8W/8Z/10A/10E/16A/16C/16G/16H/16L/17B/17G/17H/17K/17L/17M/18G/18H/18J/18P/21A/21D/22A/22C/22F/28F/28G/29G Alert: Due to a 1st amendment demonstration, N/B on 395, buses entering and exiting Pentagon Trnst Cntr may experience possible delays and detours.
— Metrobus Info (@Metrobusinfo) March 14, 2022
(2/2) The Metropolitan Police Department has closed a number of streets and highway exits in order to keep traffic moving safely through the area. These rolling road closures are occurring in real-time as they are needed, and will be lifted as soon as they are no longer necessary
— Alert DC (@AlertDC) March 14, 2022
Wasn't able to download the video but it is so loud https://t.co/Lcig5ck9SZ https://t.co/jA9alM7TrI pic.twitter.com/qdxmu42X1h
— PoPville (@PoPville) March 14, 2022
Recent Stories
A march against drugs drew a large crowd of parents and community members to Wakefield High School, where a student died this week.
Arlington County police responded to an unusual incident on Route 50 this afternoon. It happened around 1 p.m. at the intersection with Park Drive, near the Arlington Forest Shopping Center…
Building a new home should be a rewarding and memorable experience. That’s why a custom-built home requires personalized service! Here’s your chance to learn everything you need to know about…
An 18-year-old Arlington man is behind bars after police say he snuck into Wakefield High School yesterday to confront a student, triggering a lockdown. Kenan Owens was arrested around 1…
The Arlington-Aachen High School exchange is returning this summer and currently accepting applicants.
The sister-city partnership started in 1993 by the Arlington Sister Cities Association, which seeks to promote Arlington’s international profile through a variety of exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts. The exchange, scheduled June 17th to July 4th, includes a two-week homestay in Aachen plus three days in Berlin. Knowledge of the German language is not required for the trip.
Former participants have this to say:
_”The Aachen exchange was an eye-opening experience where I was fully immersed in the life of a German student. I loved biking through the countryside to Belgium, having gelato and picnics in the town square, and hanging out with my German host student’s friends. My first time out of the country, the Aachen exchange taught me to keep an open mind, because you never know what could be a life changing experience.” – Kelly M._
Learn about the new assessment of Arlington’s urban tree canopy and the many ecological and social benefits trees provide. Staff from the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) will share study results and compare canopy cover for different areas of Arlington.The webinar will include assessments of ecosystem services such as stormwater mitigation, air quality, carbon uptake, and urban heat islands. For background on Arlington trees see the “Tree Benefits: Growing Arlington’s Urban Forest” presentation at http://www.gicinc.org/PDFs/Presentation_TreeBenefits_Arlington.pdf.
Please register in advance to assure your place at the webinar, https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/29543206508863839.
About the Arlington County Civic Federation: The Arlington County Civic Federation (“ACCF”) is a not-for-profit corporation which provides a forum for civic groups to discuss, debate, inform, advocate and provide oversight on important community issues, on a non-partisan basis. Its members include over ninety civic groups representing a broad cross-section of the community. Communications, resolutions and feedback are regularly provided to the Arlington County Government.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, February 21,2023 at 7 pm. This meeting is open to the public and will be hybrid, in-person and virtually through Zoom. Part of the agenda will be a discussion and vote on a resolution “To Restore Public Confidence in Arlington County’s Governance”. For more information on ACCF and this meeting, go to https://www.civfed.org/.
Valentine Pop-Up at George Mason University
Valentine gifts for someone special or for yourself are here at George Mason University from noon -4pm on February 14, 2023. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Kingsbury Chocolates, find a handmade bag from Karina Gaull, pick up treats from Village
Standup Comedy Showcase Starring Matt Ruby (Comedy Central)
Dead Horse Comedy Productions brings together top comedians from the DMV and beyond for a live standup comedy show!
Matt Ruby, Headliner
Matt Ruby is a comedian, writer, and filmmaker from New York City. His comedy has been filmed by
