Traffic & Transit
HOV Changes During Metro Shutdown Go To Alexandria Council
Proposed changes would extend HOV lane hours and require three people in a car during the summer Metro shutdown.
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Changes to HOV lane rules on Washington Street and East and West Abingdon Drive during the summer Metro shutdown will go to Alexandria City Council in April.
The Traffic and Parking Board advanced the proposal to the council on March 25. The HOV changes would allow Metrobus and DASH buses to navigate traffic more easily while Alexandria Metro stations are closed.
If approved, HOV changes start May 20 and end when WMATA's project concludes—or no later than Sept. 30. The changes would occur on Washington Street and East and West Abingdon Drive, where the HOV lanes currently require at least two people in a car during HOV hours. Under the proposal, at least three people would need to be in the car during HOV hours.
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The proposal also calls for extending HOV hours for northbound HOV lanes from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Southbound lanes would operate from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Current HOV hours are 7 a.m.-9 a.m. in the northbound direction and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. in the southbound direction. The carpooling requirement does not apply in regular travel lanes.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Braddock Road, King St-Old Town, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield stations will be closed for platform rehabilitation from Memorial Day (May 25) to Labor Day (Sept. 2).
Metro will have several buses moving through Washington Street during the summer shutdown. These include the free Blue line shuttle between Reagan National Airport, King Street, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield, as well as enhanced 10A, 10E and 11Y service.
The city would need to replace up to 40 signs if the HOV changes would take effect, according to Traffic and Parking Board meeting minutes. The proposal is expected to go to City Council on April 9.
SEE ALSO:
- Concerns About Metro Shutdown Impacts Beyond Summer Emerge
- State To Fund Alternatives During Summer Metro Shutdown
Prepare for the Metro shutdown
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