Washingon Traffic: Buses To Clog Interstates; Tips For Drivers For Inauguration Weekend

Combine hoards of out-of-town visitors behind the wheel with thousands of charter buses bringing even more spectators to Washington, D.C., for the 58th presidential inauguration of Donald Trump — and related protests including the Women's March — and it could be a recipe for disaster.

With a fleet of at least 1,500 tour buses coming in and out of the District during the weekend, AAA Mid-Atlantic officials are warning area drivers to brace themselves for major slowdowns on the Capital Beltway (I95/495), I-66, US 50, I-95, I-270, I-395, I-295, DC-295, and the river crossings. The caravans of buses will have the roads in the city to themselves from Thursday until early Monday morning, Jan. 23 at 1 a.m., since Friday has been declared a federal holiday in the national capital region only.

While the 1.9 million vehicles that normally hit the road on a work day will be at home, drivers must still contend with the charter buses and safely share the road with hundreds of large vehicles, said Ragina Cooper Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic's manager of public and government affairs.

“Expect congestion on area freeways, anticipate delays in traffic patterns, slow down and keep a safe distance from charter buses. Do not overtake them in a huff, exercise extra care and caution,” Avearella said.

More than 100,000 persons are expected to arrive by bus, with at least 1,200 buses parking at RFK Stadium for the Women's March on Washington, so,= area drivers must be aware of their presence and take extra care to look out for them, AAA says.

It is urging drivers to:

• Pay close attention while sharing the road with buses.
• Practice defensive driving, so you don’t put you or the tour driver in potentially fatal situations.
• Don’t tailgate. If you can’t see one or both of the bus driver's side-view mirrors, that means the bus operator can’t see you.
• Be aware of the “rule of seconds.” Many car drivers follow big motor coaches and other commercial vehicles too closely during bad weather, especially when it is hard to see the road ahead.
• Leave extra space between your vehicle and tour buses around you. At 60 mph, the stopping distance for a charter bus is greater than the length of a football field.
• Don’t speed up when a tour bus is passing you. Instead, stay to the right and slow down slightly.
• Be patient while sharing the road with large motor coaches and mini-buses.
• Be careful when changing lanes because tour buses take longer to stop than cars.
• Watch for the turn signals of tour bus operators.
• Slow down. Truck and bus drivers sometimes stop in the roadway to unload cargo or passengers. They also stop at a railroad crossing.

Drivers should plan ahead for road closures and delays across the National Capital Region associated with inaugural events on Friday, Jan. 20.

Here's some road restrictions coming up this week:

• I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 3 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound upon the conclusion of the Inaugural parade.
• HOV restrictions will be lifted on I-66 (as well as on I-395 when the lanes reopen Friday evening).
• I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic.
• Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only.
• Key Bridge, Chain Bridge, Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the American Legion Bridge will be open to all traffic.
• 14th St. Non- HOV Bridge – Open to all traffic. ALL traffic diverted to I-395.
• 14th St. Bridge HOV (North and South) – Closed to all traffic
• North Washington Street at Montgomery Street (City of Alexandria) to Reagan National Airport will be open.

To avoid congestion and travel delays, residents are encouraged to use Metro, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and Amtrak for travel from Virginia into Washington, D.C., on Inauguration Day, according to VDOT and VSP.

Those needing to travel are encouraged to seek alternate means of transportation and develop a backup route. For real-time Virginia traffic information, visit 511virginia.org or download the 511 mobile app.

Those in the Northern Virginia region not attending inaugural activities should anticipate and plan for potential traffic congestion and delays. Those needing to travel are encouraged to also seek alternate means of transportation or alternate traffic routes. For the real-time Virginia traffic information, click on the VDOT 511 Website or download the free 511 app.

Planning ahead

Visit the Metro's Web site or the DC government Web site to determine public transportation schedules, routes and fares.

To receive free emergency alerts and public notifications regarding the Inauguration, text the word "INAUG" to 888777. Text messaging fees may apply according to your cellular plan.

Extra consideration should be given if planning to bring small children, elderly or anyone with a weakened immune system. Plan for walking long distances, long lines at security checkpoints, extensive standing, and large crowds.

Also read:

• Transportation Tips for 58th Presidential Inauguration for Northern Virginia Residents
• Road Closures in Washington DC During Presidential Inauguration
• Getting Around During Presidential Inauguration
• Trump's Presidential Inauguration Weather Expected to Be Warmest on Record
• Mount Vernon to Extend Hours, Offer Special Activities
• Insane AirBNB Prices in DC for Inauguration Weekend
• 'Don's Johns' Signs Covered on Porta Potties
• Windfall from Inauguration May Reach $1.34 Billion in Northern Virginia
• Congressman Don Beyer: I Am Not Attending Trump's Inauguration
• Presidential Inaugural Balls 2017: Official, Unofficial Galas in DC Metro Area
• Water Taxi Service Available from Alexandria to Washington, D.C.

PHOTO of traffic via Shutterstock