A coalition of environmental advocacy groups is hoping recent controversy over tree-clearing along the Potomac River leads to creative thinking about the future.
Leaders of nine organizations dispatched a letter to Christine Smith, acting director of the National Park Service’s George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). While much of the letter focused on the tree-clearing matter, there also was a call for ways to atone and move forward.
Arlington leaders believe people-power helped sway National Park Service officials to re-evaluate plans for clearing more trees and vegetation adjacent to the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the county.
The acting superintendent of the GW Parkway announced on Friday (Oct. 18) that a “full review” would be conducted before anything else happens in the verdant buffer area between the roadway and the Potomac River below it.
Drivers on the George Washington Memorial Parkway may soon have clearer views of the Potomac, but they should also expect weekend lane closures during restoration work.
The National Park Service announced yesterday (Monday) that crews will “rehabilitate” 15 scenic vistas between the North Donaldson Overlook and Spout Run Parkway.
Update on 9/27/24 — The lane closure for this weekend has been cancelled due to rain. From the National Park Service:
Due to inclement weather, the scheduled closure of the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) between Spout Run Parkway and Windy Run Bridge has been cancelled for this weekend. One northbound and southbound lane will remain open in each direction. Thank you for your patience as we continue rehabilitation.
Construction and weather will make for an even tougher rush hour commute on the GW Parkway on Friday.
The Parkway is already down to one lane in each direction, plus a reversible lane for rush hour traffic, between Spout Run Parkway in Arlington and the Beltway. That’s due to ongoing major construction on the Parkway.
A stretch of the northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed over the next two weekends.
The closures, affecting the stretch between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123, will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 26, and end at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 29, before the morning rush hour, per a National Park Service press release.
If you’ve experienced the single-lane configuration of the GW Parkway in Fairfax County, get ready for it to come to Arlington.
The upcoming work is part of the next phase of the major Parkway rehabilitation project announced in 2021.
A big traffic pattern change is coming this weekend, as part of ongoing construction on the GW Parkway.
The northbound lanes of the Parkway will close between Route 123, just north of Arlington, and the Beltway. The closure will allow for work on the ramp from the Parkway to I-495.
Pro-Palestinian protests in D.C. caused major morning rush hour backups on Arlington roads.
Demonstrators blocked several major commuter routes and intersections in the District, including I-395 and Constitution Avenue, bringing inbound traffic to a standstill on the GW Parkway, I-66, Route 50 and I-395. The Virginia Dept. of Transportation diverted drivers from I-66 onto Route 110 and advised others to seek alternate routes.
Today’s snowfall — the second significant snowstorm of the week after none for two years — is overperforming.
More than two inches have fallen so far and another 1-2 inches is expected through this afternoon, according to the Capital Weather Gang. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect.
Update at 11 p.m. — The Winter Weather Advisory has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.
Earlier: Arlington and the immediate D.C. area is under a Winter Weather Advisory, with several inches of additional snow accumulation expected.
Arlington County will be setting aside $1.6 million for improvement projects on national parkland in the crosshairs of a future pedestrian bridge between Crystal City and National Airport.
