Transit

“59th Presidential Inauguration Street Closures”

By Prince Of Petworth


14th and L Street, NW photo by Joshua Collier “checkpoint at 14TH and L St NW this morning. Every car is getting stopped and questioned.”

Stefanie (and others) report this morning: “Downtown DC really locked up (assuming for Inauguration prep etc) – can’t go south of Gallery Place from at least 6th as far west as I can tell. I had a heck of a time getting to 395 this morning.”


8th and F Street, NW photo by Mark Lyon

From Alert DC:

“MPD reports the following road closures are in effect until further notice due to preparation for the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (more…)

About that Cryptic Traffic Advisory Last Night – it’s for “the inauguration perimeter”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by C Buoscio

Late last night MPD tweeted: “Traffic Advisory: On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at approximately 6 am, morning commuters should be aware of parking restrictions & potential street closures in the downtown area. Stay tuned for additional updates.”

I got lots of concerned queries asking what this was about. The Mayor now explains:

“Allow for additional travel time in and around downtown. All are encouraged to sign up for text alerts, text INAUG2021 to 888-777.

This is the beginning of the installation of the inauguration perimeter around the White House, the Mall, the Capitol and parts of downtown.” (more…)

“Metro expects to temporarily halt employee layoffs, service cuts”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Miki Jourdan

From WMATA:

“While Metro’s share of the latest federal Covid relief funding is being finalized, the preliminary estimate of approximately $610 million would avoid planned budget-related layoffs and service cuts this fiscal year (through June 30th), subject to Board approval this week.

“Thanks to the leadership of the regional Congressional delegation and Senator Warner, we will be able to keep transit employees working, providing essential service to customers in the national capital region through June 30th,” said WMATA Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “However, we will need additional federal relief to avoid service reductions next fiscal year as the region stabilizes.” (more…)

Metro (8pm) and Bus (9pm) “service ending early for public safety”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“In light of an announced 6 p.m. citywide curfew in the District of Columbia, all Metrorail and Metrobus service will end earlier than normal today, Wednesday, January 6, in the interest of public safety. The rail system will close three hours early, at 8 p.m., and Metrobus service will end at 9 p.m.

Customers are advised of the following service changes: (more…)

“that bus has been laying on the horn for the better part of ten minutes now.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Sometime in the past several months, dedicated bus lanes were installed in the 14th street corridor through Columbia Heights. This means what used to be two lanes for combined traffic now is one lane each for cars and buses/bikes. This is a great way to increase bus efficiency. One major caveat – this requires buses to use the dedicated bus lane and for that lane to be clear for them to do so. (more…)

“DDOT Opens Three Car Free Lanes Beginning January 4”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the opening of Car Free Lanes on 14th Street NW; Martin Luther King Jr, Avenue SE, and M Street SE. Enforcement for all three facilities will begin January 4, 2021.

“We are thrilled to deliver these three projects that will help residents safely and efficiently travel everywhere they live, work, and play in the District,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. “The Bowser Administration is committed to improving bus travel speeds and reliability across the District; the opening of these Car Free Lanes delivers on that promise.”

All three projects are designated by red curb-lane paint. The fine for unauthorized driving or parking in a Car Free Lane is $200.The Car Free Lanes have been installed in the following corridors: (more…)

Last Night in Driving Poorly

By Prince Of Petworth


1333 H Street, NE. Photo by jenniferpfox

Jennifer sends around 10:30pm: “A bit of craziness down on H street NE – car through atlas theater.” (more…)

“Based on the review of video cameras onboard the 7000-series train, it appears that an FBI agent discharged his weapon several times following a verbal exchange with a passenger.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“Metro Transit Police today released a chronology of events that transpired on December 15th aboard a Red Line train, which left a passenger hospitalized with gunshot wounds.

Based on the review of video cameras onboard the 7000-series train, it appears that an FBI agent discharged his weapon several times following a verbal exchange with a passenger.

“This matter is an active criminal investigation, and we are working closely with the Montgomery County, Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Ronald Pavlik, Jr. “We are continuing to collect and process evidence, including conducting interviews, to determine what happened on that train.”

If there are any members of the public that may have witnessed the incident, please contact the MTPD Detective Branch at 301-955-5000.

While Montgomery County Police were first on the scene of the shooting, MTPD subsequently assumed the role of lead investigating agency for the incident. MTPD has held the train at a local rail yard for evidence processing, reviewed video footage from station and railcar cameras, reviewed the preliminary incident report from the rail control center, and taken statements from Metro employees, passengers, and others.

While the report is subject to confirmation of audio transcripts, MTPD’s preliminary chronology of events is as follows: (more…)

“robbed and assaulted at knifepoint in the Petworth/Georgia Ave metro station around 6:30pm”

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports last night:

“I was robbed and assaulted at knifepoint in the Petworth/Georgia Ave metro station around 6:30pm [Thursday.] Two guys were waiting outside the train when I got off, one followed me to the escalator and put a knife to my side and asked for my phone. I said no, we fought, the other guy joined when it wasn’t a quick transaction. The first guy tried to stab me in the stomach but he had a utility swiss army knife and it wasn’t sharp. Eventually they got the phone after a few punches to the head, another guy who saw it happening got the knife and gave it to the station manager who called transit police. (more…)

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