Update at 7:30 a.m. — The closed southbound lane of Glebe Road has reopened.
Glebe Road is partially shut down between Columbia Pike and 8th Street South after a van crashed into a utility pole.
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Traffic
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Gov. Robert F. McDonnell said his administration has been working to breathe life into the plan to add High Occupancy Toll lanes to the highway after it was delayed last year, following a lawsuit from Arlington County officials, according to the Washington Examiner.
The suit, which last week won a federal judge’s approval to move forward, claims that during the waning days of the Bush administration state transportation officials were improperly granted a “categorical exclusion” allowing the toll lanes to be built without conducting required environmental impact studies.
Chain Bridge will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians this weekend due to the ongoing bridge reconstruction project.
The bridge will be closed from 9:00 Friday night to 5:00 Monday morning.
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There are currently major delays on Washington Boulevard due to an incident between Route 50 and Columbia Pike. Numerous police cars and fire/EMS units are on the scene of a pedestrian who is experiencing some sort of medical emergency.
Traffic is backed up to I-395 heading north, and to North Garfield Street heading south. Police will soon start diverting southbound traffic onto Route 50.
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Traffic Lights Out in North Arlington — A number of traffic lights went out in North Arlington this afternoon due to a “circuit problem.” Generators were brought out to some of the busier intersections as Dominion Power worked on the problem. Four traffic lights were reported to be out on Fairfax Drive and three were reported out on Lee Highway and Old Dominion Drive, among others. All lights are said to be working again.
Arlington Among the Most “Bike-Friendly Cities” — Bicycling Magazine has ranked Arlington 30th in its list of the 50 most bike-friendly cities. The article inexplicably features an image of Georgetown University.
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A crash in the HOV lanes of I-395 near the exit for Shirlington is tying up rush hour traffic. Virginia State Police and Arlington paramedics are on the scene of the two-car collision. One minor injury has been reported.
A truck ran off the road, flew over a stone wall and landed in a ditch on the northbound George Washington Parkway during tonight’s evening commute. The northbound lanes of the Parkway were blocked by emergency vehicles during the rescue operation. Traffic was diverted onto Spout Run, causing significant backups.
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Update at 4:45 p.m. — A road crew has now blocked off the lane.
We spotted a big pool of standing water covering the left HOV lane of I-395 North approaching the 14th Street Bridge. At least three cars and trucks drove through it, causing a big splash but, so far, no accidents.
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A van flipped on its side at the exit from westbound I-66 to Route 267 (Dulles Toll Road). All lines of westbound I-66 are blocked, and traffic is being diverted onto Route 267.
Traffic on I-66 is currently backed up all the way to Glebe Road in Arlington.
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Just a reminder: as we reported on Tuesday, Chain Bridge will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians this weekend.
With sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s, it looks like the repair work, which has been delayed three times due to weather, will finally go on as scheduled.
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Update at 10:30 a.m. — S. Walter Reed Drive has reopened ahead of schedule.
A water main break has shut down the southbound lanes of S. Walter Reed Drive at Four Mile Run. Authorities expect repairs to be completed by noon.
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Chain Bridge is currently blocked due to an accident with injuries. We’re hearing that three people are being brought to the hospital.