Update at 8:45 p.m. — Columbia Pike is back open.
Update at 5:50 p.m. — The gas leak has been stopped, the fire department said just after 5:30 p.m. Columbia Pike remains closed to traffic, however, according to traffic cameras.
FINAL: Gas has been secured and all FD resources are going in service. No further hazard exists.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) February 15, 2024
Earlier: A portion of Columbia Pike is blocked for an extended period of time due to a gas leak.
The Pike is closed between S. Wayne Street and S. Barton Street, near Penrose Square, due to the leak. Roadway construction was in progress at the time the leak was reported.
The Arlington County Fire Department is on scene. The closure is expected to stretch on for several hours, according to scanner traffic.
“Avoid the area,” ACFD said. The closure is causing significant delays on the Pike, with traffic to the west reportedly backing up past Glebe Road.
A gas leak and road closure happened in the same general spot in June 2023.
Units are on the scene of a natural gas leak in the area of Columbia Pike & S Adams St. Columbia Pike between S Wayne and S Barton St will be closed in both directions. Expect traffic disruptions and avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/QoaST1SAXm
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) February 15, 2024
LOCATION: Columbia Pike / S Adams St
INCIDENT: Fire Department Activity
IMPACT: Traffic has been closed in both directions on Columbia Pike from S Wayne St to S Barton St. Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/uZOyl8pTkP— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) February 15, 2024
The Pike is closed for a big gas leak @ARLnowDOTcom lots of police & fire. Overheard a cop say they were waiting on a contractor. pic.twitter.com/fZDu8tiTCH
— Rob Link (@RobBobLink) February 15, 2024
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.
Some side streets — including in the Courthouse and Rosslyn areas — were also congested as drivers try to avoid the highway backups.
Constitution Ave has reopened in both directions, according to WTOP, which some observers link to arrests made by Metropolitan Police Department. I-395 also recently reopened.
Arlington has seen a handful of pro-Palestine demonstrations since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last October. Most recently, demonstrators camped outside Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s house in Arlington, near the McLean border.
Arlington: Due to demonstration activity on Constitution Ave., all eastbound traffic on 66 is being diverted onto Rt 110. Seek alternate routes or follow police direction. pic.twitter.com/bwW3hfARJu
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) February 1, 2024
List of locations in Washington DC with protestors:
•I-395 North at 14th St NW
•I-395 N at C & D St NW
•23rd St & Constitution Ave NW (clearing soon, arrests made)
⬆️ ROAD CLOSURES ⬆️ #dctraffic
•Most recently Union Station #vatraffic https://t.co/2OjfZYpIS5 pic.twitter.com/mGeRB0x4nF— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) February 1, 2024
Demonstrations slowly ending, but traffic delays remain on many downtown DC streets. 3rd St Tunnel ramps still blocked. Rolling demonstration last seen near E St & New Jersey Ave NW. Tune to 103.5 FM and https://t.co/Trjju7KegD for details on the 8s #dctraffic
— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) February 1, 2024
The traffic signal at the intersection of 10th Street N. and N. Highland Street in Clarendon is out after a crash.
The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. and was caught on camera.
The video, above, appears to show a driver on 10th Street running the red light and getting t-boned by a driver on Highland. So far, there’s no word on injuries, though firefighters and medics quickly arrived on scene from nearby Fire Station No. 4.
N. Highland Street is closed and the traffic light is out, according to an Arlington Alert message. The video shows the light staying on red while flashing yellow after the crash, potentially as the result of ground-level signal equipment being damaged.
LOCATION: N Highland St./10th St. N
INCIDENT: Traffic Collision
IMPACT: N Highland St. (southbound) between 10th St. N and 9th St. N is closed in both directions. The light at the intersection of N Highland St. and 10th St. N is currently out. Expect dela pic.twitter.com/AKamrdjZDT— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) January 10, 2024
(Updated at 3:50 p.m.) A multi-vehicle crash with injuries and at least one person reported to be trapped blocked all westbound lanes of I-66 in Arlington this afternoon.
The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. near the exit to Langston Blvd and Spout Run. The person trapped has since been freed by firefighters, according to scanner traffic.
At least four vehicles, including one that overturned, appear to be involved.
Backups on westbound I-66 extended to Rosslyn, while eastbound traffic was also backed up at the crash scene. Police detoured westbound drivers onto Langston Blvd. At least one eastbound lane remained blocked as of 3 p.m.
Shortly before 4 p.m., VDOT said that all lanes were back open.
Update: The crash has been cleared and roadway is now open. https://t.co/COQFifroIv
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) December 28, 2023
(Updated at 10:10 p.m.) All lanes of S. Glebe Road were blocked between Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike this afternoon due to a crash.
Initial reports suggest that two vehicles collided near the intersection of Glebe and 15th Street S. around 1:45 p.m. One vehicle flipped on its side and at least one vehicle occupant was reported to be trapped and injured.
Numerous fire department and police vehicles were on scene as the person was extricated from their vehicle by firefighters and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.
Glebe Road was back open as of 3:15 p.m., according to Arlington County.
Traffic camera video of the crash posted Monday night by local public safety watcher Dave Statter shows some questionable driving decisions by a trio of drivers. One driver sideswipes the second — whose car overturned — while simultaneously trying to pass the third, who just turned onto the northbound lanes at the last second ahead of oncoming traffic.
Car overturned: This is today's crash on S. Glebe Road & S. 15th Street in Arlington. Despite one car rolling over, there was no initial report of life-threatening injuries. @ArlingtonVaFD & @ArlingtonVaPD handled. Video from Arlington traffic camera recorded by @SafetyVid.… pic.twitter.com/qQP5sFKBGd
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) November 28, 2023
Update at 6 p.m — All lanes have reopened, according to Arlington Alert.
Earlier: All lanes of the GW Parkway in Arlington are currently blocked by a crash.
Police and medics are on scene of a multi-vehicle crash on the southbound GW Parkway near Chain Bridge. At least three people were hurt in the crash and are being taken to local hospitals via ambulance, according to scanner traffic.
Commuters should expect significant delays in both directions on the Parkway, which also has lane closures due to ongoing construction.
LOCATION: George Washington Memorial Pkwy / VA-123 (Dolly Madison Boulevard)
INCIDENT: Traffic Collision
IMPACT: All lanes of GW Pkwy are blocked in both directions in the area of VA-123 (Dolly Madison Blvd.) Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/9PRphmgcN6— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) November 3, 2023
Map via Google Maps
Part of Old Dominion Drive is blocked in both directions in the Rock Spring neighborhood due to a crash.
The crash was first reported around 3 p.m. It happened near the intersection with N. Dickerson Street, west of Williamsburg Blvd and east of the Fairfax County border.
Two vehicles — reportedly a Jeep and a BMW — suffered heavy front-end damage. A third vehicle, a Tesla, was also reported to have been involved in the crash but did not appear to have significant damage.
No serious injuries have been reported. It is unclear how long it will take for the road to reopen.
The crash happened about a block away from the 2022 crash that killed a Washington-Liberty High School student.
We’re less than two weeks away from the ending of Daylight Saving Time, which means a renewed focus on road safety in the D.C. area.
Clocks will “fall back” an hour on Sunday, Nov. 5. Ahead of that, the Arlington County Police Department will be joining law enforcement across the region in kicking off the annual fall Street Smart campaign.
ACPD is planning targeted traffic enforcement events, starting this coming Thursday, at the following locations during the four-week campaign.
- Thursday, Oct. 26 from 4-5 p.m. — 2000 to 2400 block of S. Glebe Road (Green Valley neighborhood)
- Thursday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to noon – 23rd Street S. and Arlington Ridge Road (Arlington Ridge neighborhood)
- Monday, Nov. 6 from 4-5 p.m. – Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard at N. Veitch Street (Courthouse neighborhood)
- Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 4-5 p.m. – Four Mile Run Drive at S. Walter Reed Drive (Green Valley / Shirlington area)
No matter how you travel, remember to be a PAL: Predictable | Alert | Lawful. pic.twitter.com/EAfs5q8G4V
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) October 23, 2023
More, below, from an ACPD press release.
Waning daylight hours and the end of Daylight Saving Time will bring darker evening commuting and reduced visibility. To ensure the safety of all travelers on our roadways, the Arlington County Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout the region will take part in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Fall Street Smart Campaign from October 25 – November 19. The Street Smart campaign aims to identify and change unsafe behavior patterns amongst motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, with the goal of reducing the number of traffic related collisions and injuries on our roadways.
No matter how you travel, remember to share our roadways and always be a P.A.L. – predicable, alert and lawful.
Drivers are reminded to:
- slow down, drive the speed limit and obey all posted traffic signs and signals.
- remain alert for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- use caution when passing buses or stopped vehicles.
- watch for pedestrians and bicyclists when turning.
- allow for at least 3 feet when passing bicyclists.
- avoid using your cell phone and never text while driving. Holding a hand-held communication device while driving is illegal in Virginia.
Pedestrians are reminded to:
- cross the street at the corner and use marked crosswalks when they are available.
- use pushbuttons when available and wait for the walk signal to cross the street.
- look both ways before crossing.
- remain visible, especially after dark and in bad weather, by wearing light colored or reflective clothing.
- watch for blind spots around trucks and buses.
- avoid using devices that distract you, such as cell phones, while crossing the street.
Bicyclists and shared mobility device operators are reminded to:
- ride in the same direction as traffic.
- use hand signals to communicate your intentions with others.
- wear a helmet, which is required for all bicycle riders 14 years of age and younger and recommended for all other riders. (Arlington County Code 14.2-64.)
- keep your eyes on the road and avoid the use of devices that may distract you.
- remain visible, especially after dark and in bad weather, by wearing light colored or reflective clothing.
- use headlights and taillights, especially when riding between sunset and sunrise.
A motorcyclist suffered a significant injury this afternoon after a crash near Ballston that was caught on camera.
The crash happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and Washington Blvd.
Footage from a traffic camera, below, shows the rider of the motorcycle making a left turn in front of the driver of a silver car, who hit the brakes but too late to avoid the collision.
Two fellow riders who were also waiting to turn left can be seen hurrying to provide aid. A driver who was behind the trio can also be seen stopping to help. It was not immediately clear whether the striking driver remained on scene.
Initial reports suggest that the rider suffered a serious broken leg and perhaps other injuries. They were taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The intersection was partially closed immediately after the crash due to the police and fire department response.
(Updated at 3:20 p.m.) Both directions of N. Glebe Road were closed near the I-66 ramps north of Washington Blvd, in the Ballston area, due to a crash.
The crash happened around 1 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Glebe and involved a pickup truck and a sedan.
Traffic camera video shows the truck merging into the car’s lane suddenly and without signalling, running into its side and causing it to flip on its roof.
Passersby and other motorists could be seen rushing to help the driver immediately after the crash. She was helped out of the overturned car and loaded into a waiting ambulance.
The pickup driver drove across Glebe to the I-66 ramp after the crash but then stayed on scene.
“Both drivers remained on scene,” Arlington County police spokeswoman Alli Shorb confirmed to ARLnow. “Officers remain on scene investigating the crash and as part of the ongoing investigation, will determine if charges will be sought.”
The northbound and southbound lanes of Glebe have since partially reopened as of 1:50 p.m.
Video of the crash and the emergency response is below.
The westbound lanes of Columbia Pike are blocked near Arlington’s western border after a crash involving a U-Haul truck.
The crash happened around 5:20 p.m. near the intersection of the Pike and S. Jefferson Street. That’s about three blocks from a U-Haul rental location.
Initial reports suggest that the rental truck collided with two vehicles and then mounted a curb, went over a sidewalk, and ran partially up a steep grassy hill. One or two minor injuries were reported.
A tow crew is on scene cleaning up debris from the roadway and trying to figure out how to get the box truck safely down from the embankment.
LOCATION: Columbia Pike / S Jefferson Street
INCIDENT: Traffic Collision
IMPACT: WB Columbia Pike is closed at S Jefferson Street. Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/sI1P1NS39I— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) August 13, 2023