Traffic is backing up on I-395 South as confused drivers slow down at what is usually the busy exit to Route 1. Instead of an exit, commuters are encountering orange barrels.
Even though Arlington County road crews have opened up one left lane of southbound Jefferson Davis Highway (Rt. 1) in Crystal City following last night’s water main breaks, VDOT is keeping the I-395 exit closed, perhaps out of worries about the thoroughfare being able to handle rush hour commuter traffic.
Update at 2:10 p.m. — South Eads Street, which runs parallel to Route 1 from Pentagon City to S. Glebe Road, is not a viable option as an alternate route past 23rd Street. Eads is currently closed between Ft. Scott Drive and S. Glebe Road while crews work to fix another water main break.
Arlington County is warning that only one lane of southbound Jefferson Davis Highway (Rt. 1) in Crystal City will be open in time for tonight’s evening rush hour. The continued lane closures will likely cause major backups for commuters throughout South Arlington.
Getting to work was awful, and tonight getting back home was no picnic, either. At least it’s a three day weekend.
Update at 12:10 PM – It’s noon and the traffic still looks like it did at 9:30, when the picture to the left was taken. At this point don’t you just turn around and head home?
Update at 10:10 AM – Metro trains on the Orange Line are running about once every 45 minutes, resulting in a huge crowd of waiting passengers at Ballston station, according to a reader via Twitter.
