From DDOT:

As previously announced, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is making major safety improvements at one of the busiest intersections in Northeast Washington, where New York Avenue, Florida Avenue, First Street and Eckington Place meet. Now, as the next phase of construction is about to begin, DDOT will be switching the traffic patterns at the intersection. The changes are scheduled to be implemented at 9 pm on Friday, June 4, 2010, weather permitting.

After the changes are made, traffic will flow in a circular pattern around the intersection (see diagram above). Drivers and cyclists will need to pay close attention to the posted signs and lane markings.

With the new traffic patterns:

* First Street will become one way southbound from Florida Avenue to New York Avenue.

* Florida Avenue will be limited to one way traffic westbound between New York Avenue and First Street.

* Eastbound Florida Avenue traffic will be detoured to First Street. From there, drivers can go left on New York Avenue to return to Florida Avenue, or they can use the following detour from southbound First Street: left on M Street, left on Third Street right on Florida Avenue.

* Northbound First Street traffic wishing to access westbound New York or Florida Avenues will be temporarily detoured via M and Third Streets, NE.

* Southbound Eckington Place traffic will no longer be allowed to turn left on Florida Avenue. Eckington traffic will use First Street to reach New York Avenue and eastbound Florida Avenue,

The $3 million reconfiguration of the intersection is designed to improve circulation and decrease accidents. The project is scheduled to be completed in August and final traffic pattern changes will be announced at that time.

Additional information about the project is available online at dashboard.ddot.dc.gov.


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Photo From PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoP,

I hope that you and your readers can help me track down my bag.

I play in a band and we performed in Wheaton on Sunday. After the show some of us headed home on the Metro and I did something I’ve never done before – I accidentally (!!!) left my knapsack on the bench on the platform at the Wheaton Metro when we boarded the train. I got off at the Silver Spring station and made an inquiry (the Metro employee called and asked the attendant at Wheaton to look for my bag) then headed back to Wheaton to search for it. A Metro employee called Metro Police and I filed a report and the officer (a nice guy) helped me look. I am hoping, hoping, hoping that someone turns it in. All of my Batala gear plus some other stuff was in there. Nothing of value to anyone else!

I would really love for my bag and its contents to be returned. It’s a lightweight dark gray knapsack (Eagle Creek) containing: 2 surdo (drum) mallets; 2 beige belts with hooks (for wearing my drum); 2 black knee pads (also for drumming); 2 sets of earplugs; 1 roll of athletic tape; 1 7/16 wrench; 1 black hip sack (Mountain Equipment Coop); 1 light green corduroy jean jacket; 1 stainless steel water bottle w/ red lid (Starbucks).

I filed a lost & found report with Metro and have been calling there daily but my bag has not yet turned up. I’m playing Friday (tomorrow), Saturday and Sunday and really need this stuff!

So, why am I sharing this? Well, maybe some collective good thoughts will help bring it back to me! Maybe one of your readers knows something and/or saw my bag. If someone has my bag, please return it! Thank you.”

If you find the bag please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll connect you with the reader.



Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From WMATA:

“Trains will share one track on the Red, Orange and Green lines

Customers can expect lengthy delays of up to 30 minutes this weekend (May 21-23) as old track components are replaced on the Red, Orange and Green lines, causing inbound and outbound trains to take turns sharing one track on portions of the rail system.

Customers planning to take the Red, Orange or Green lines to area events this weekend should add up to 30 minutes to their travel times. The Washington Nationals play at Nationals Park on May 21, 22, and 23, and the DC 101 Chili Cook Off is at RFK Stadium on May 22.

Continues after the jump. (more…)



Photo by PoPville flickr user Madame Meow

The title of this press release, “Ride Metro to Bike to Work Day”, from WMATA cracked me up. It makes sense when you read the full press release though:

Metro encourages riders to bike to Metrobus, Metrorail

Metro encourages bicyclists to ride their bikes and take Metrobus or Metrorail to work on “Bike to Work Day,” this Friday, May 21. The event is sponsored by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and promotes bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work.

Bicyclists who ride to a Metrobus stop and take the bus to work can secure their bikes on racks on the front of any bus. Information on how to use the racks is available at http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/bikes_bus.cfm.

Many Metrorail stations have facilities for bicycle storage so bicyclists can ride their bicycle to a station, leave it there, and take Metrorail or Metrobus. Storage facilities include free racks or lockers for rent, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Metro currently has about 1,600 bicycle racks and an additional 1,300 lockers spread throughout the Metrorail system at most of the 86 Metrorail stations. Bicycles are welcome in the Metrorail system anytime except during weekday rush hours, from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Metro is working with its regional partners to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to Metrorail stations throughout the transit system. Earlier this month, Metro and the District of Columbia celebrated the completion of the first segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), an eight-mile multi-use trail that will run from Union Station to Silver Spring, Md. When fully completed, the trail will provide direct access to seven Metrorail stations along the Red Line.

In addition, Metro is nearing completion of a study to identify Metrorail stations where improved pathways could attract more people to bike or walk to a station. The study evaluates existing and projected bicycle and pedestrian demand and access to stations, and facilities to improve bicycle storage, such as key swipe-card entry bicycle cages in parking lots and double-deck parking for bicycles.

Metro has identified $9 million in bicycle investment needs between 2011 and 2020 as part of its capital needs inventory, and will be working with its regional partners to identify ways to fund them.

For more information about Metro’s Bike ‘N Ride Program, visit http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride.



Photo by PoPville flickr user a.w.miller

From WMATA:

Trains will share one track on the Green Line

Customers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes this weekend (May 15-16) as old track components are replaced on the Green Line, causing inbound and outbound trains to take turns sharing one track.

Green Line Track Maintenance

Metrorail customers traveling between the College Park-U of Md and Greenbelt Metrorail stations should add 20 minutes to their travel time because Metro will be welding new rail on the tracks in that area. Trains will share one track between these locations on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

“Dear PoP,

I wanted to tell you what happened to me on my way to work Tuesday morning. I reported this case of sexual assault to Metro Police, but I don’t feel like that accomplishes much.

This morning, I boarded the orange line at L’Enfant Plaza in the direction of Vienna. I was engrossed in a book and on “auto-pilot” on the way to work. When I got on the train, a man sat down next to me, in the seat closest to the aisle.

Continues after the jump, warning disturbing description of incident follows. (more…)


“Dear PoP,

I just finished a music video called Metro Status, it features myself and other dancers bboying on the Metro. It’s a dedication to the DC area, the Metro system, and everyone who rides the train. You can watch the video above.

Metro Status by Mad Sole”

I want to get in one of these videos!



Photo by PoPville flickr user Bogotron

As anticipated more metro delays this weekend:

“Customers can expect lengthy delays of up to 30 minutes this weekend (May 7-9) as old track components are replaced on the Red and Orange lines, causing inbound and outbound trains to take turns sharing one track on portions of the rail system.”

From an email, first friday show at Mid City Caffe tomorrow:



Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

I might have to make this a regular weekly feature… From WMATA:

“Trains will share one track on the Blue, Yellow lines

Customers can expect lengthy delays of up to 30 minutes this weekend (April 30 to May 2) as old track components are replaced on the Blue and Yellow lines. Inbound and outbound trains will take turns sharing one track on portions of the rail system while the work is taking place. Continues after the jump. (more…)


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