70 degree days, sunshine and sunglasses are here. So are you thinking about a trip to the beach?
Before you head east, young man, there are a few things you need to know.
While you were bundled up for the winter, the Maryland Transportation Authority got to work re-decking the westbound span of the Bay Bridge.
It is an active work zone, which means police are enforcing a reduced 45 mph speed limit on the span. You are also being asked to slow down when you ride across the steel plates that have been set up on the bridge.
Here’s what you can expect if you drive across the westbound span:
All the re-decking is taking place overnight, but the westbound span may shut down as early as 8 p.m. and stay closed until the next morning. That means there will be two-way traffic on the east-bound span overnight, creating delays.
A bright spot, the re-decking will not happen on Fridays during the spring and summer because of higher traffic volumes.
As far as crossing the Bay Bridge in the coming months, the Maryland Transportation Authority says these are the best times to do it:
– Thursday — before 2 p.m.
– Friday — before 2 p.m. and after 10 p.m.
– Saturday — before 10 a.m. and between 5 and 8 p.m.
– Sunday — between 9 a.m. and noon and after 7 p.m.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
METRO WEEKEND TRACK WORK:
– On the Blue Line — trains will be single-tracking between the Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street stations tonight and tomorrow night from 8 p.m. until closing at 3 a.m.
– On the Orange Line — bridge work is taking place Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. between the New Carrollton and Cheverly Stations.
– Also on the Orange Line — trains will be sharing a track between the Vienna and West Falls Church stations, while communication cables are installed. That work will start tonight at 10 p.m. and last until closing Sunday (midnight).
VIRGINIA ROAD WORK:
Watch for lane closures where the Capital Beltway meets the Dulles Access Road (Route 267) on Saturday. VDOT will shut down a right lane on the Inner Loop in that area, as well as the Route 267 west ramp to the Beltway from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. A wall wing that fell over is being reset.
E-maill Adam at atuss@wtopnews.com. We may share your story in our next column.
