Julie_Wright's Blog

Hi guys...I just wanted to say that not only do I report on the traffic but I also share in your frustration with tie ups, accidents and poorly timed traffic lights.  The latter is what I would like to discuss with you now.  For me, the worst part of my commute is the traffic light at the end of the ramp from the inner loop of the beltway to southbound GA Ave.  That light takes about 2 minutes  before it turns green and you can imagine my frustration having to sit there and wait it out since there's no turn on red allowed. 

I'm sure this isn't the only traffic light that causes headaches for commuters...where are some other traffic lights that are either short timing, constantly on flash or simply not timed out properly?  Maybe if we talk about this we can get some relief with the powers that be. 

Julie 

Well gang it looks like we dodged another bullet when it comes to the the weather. Although the morning commute was troubled with some accidents it could've been a lot worse. There are still some slick places out there on the roads so proceed with caution and slow down. Watch out for black ice in parking lots as well as icy conditions on sidewalks. Hopefully, we'll make it through the weekend with very little trouble. Oh, and if you're going to the Justin Timberlake concert tonight...you know I had to mention that right?...use metro...parking is a bear and it's an easy trip on the red line!!!

Drive Safe,

Julie

Hi guys...just a reminder that crews will be working on the Northbound or Inbound stretch of the Douglas Bridge this morning. The work is scheduled to begin at 10am today and continue through till 4am Monday. This particular roadwork is preparation for an extensive construction project that will take place this summer. I'm suggesting you use 295 and the 11th street bridge as an alternate or use the Sousa bridge off of Pennsylvana Avenue as your work around.

Drive Safe,

Julie

Testing at the Wilson Bridge...that's what I'm talking about. Again today crews will shut down the inner loop of the beltway from MD into VA to test the span at the bridge. I know that several of you ask why they have to do the tests in the middle of the day and I have an answer. It's daylight. Crews are taking measurements and checking the alignment and they can't do that sort of thing at night. Simple answer? It probably doesn't help your commute but that's what they tell me.

The Wilson Bridge opening is scheduled for 11am today and will stop traffic for about 20 mins. Expect delays on the beltway or if you know how to cut through town use your Anacostia bridges as your alternates.

Drive Safe,

Julie

Another morning with slippery conditions on the neighborhood streets. Hopefully, you made it to the office without too much trouble. According to Tony's forecast we could see a little more of this wintery mix later this week. By now you should have plenty of windshield wiper fluid, de-icer and hopefully the ability to leave early for that commute. Keep me posted with any problems in your neighborhood or on the roads in general.

Drive Safe,

Julie

We survived our first "winter storm." Black ice was/is something to be concerned with. I'm also concerned with re-freezing overnight. If you thought today was an ice rink in your neighborhood or on your secondary streets tomorrow could be just an interesting. Remember to leave early and CLEAN OFF YOUR CAR. We received a number of calls about people not clearing off the vehicles before heading down the road. Please, be kind to others and clean off the top as well as the sides of the car. Once again I'm going to remind you to slow down as you make your way around today. Be careful going home and allow some extra time on the roads again tomorrow morning.

Take care,

Julie

Are you guys ready for the weekend??? I'm sure you are but keep in mind Tony mentioned there could be some winter weather moving into our area over the weekend. Sue and Gwen will keep you up to date with what's going on with old man winter but be prepared just in case we have to deal with black ice and slick road conditions. Allow yourself extra travel time on the roads, plenty of breaking distance and remember to slow down.

Drive safe and have a good weekend.

Julie

Hi folks...I'm not sure if you heard Gurvir and Steve this morning both say they hit "something" on their way to work. I think Steve said he hit a racoon and Gurvir said she encountered a bear??? Am I the only one who has a boring ride into work? Once in a while I'll see a deer or two along 270 but that's it. So how about your commute? Where do you see the most critters on the highways? Let me know!

Julie

Hi guys...I know lately it doesn't seem like winter is right around the corner but it is and I was wondering how do you prepare for winter travel??? Do you keep an ice scraper handy??? Do you have a can or two of De-Icer in the trunk? What about those automatic car starters??? Do you own one of them??? Wind shield wiper fluid---I usually have a gallon of that in my vehicle---especially when it snows. Let me know how you prepare your car for old man Winter!

Julie

It's been about a month since we debuted our new 3-D traffic program on air. What are your comments about the maps, cameras and fly-bys? Would you like to see more coverage in a certain area? Would you like to see more maps or cameras? It's all about what helps you get from home to work in a timely fashion so let me know.

Julie

Over the river and through the woods...and all I can hear is..."Are we there yet?" So how do you keep your sanity on the roads and keep the kids occupied too? I guess it's a little bit easier these days with Game Boys and Ipods but I remember playing "Popeye"---when you notice a car with only one headlight, and "Punchbuggie"---when you spot a volkswagon on the highway. Now a days it's just me and my pooch Bailey jammin' along to the Ipod...I sing and he howls...we're both off key but there's no Simon Cowell so it's all good. Buckle up and drive safe and have a wonderful holiday!!!

See you Monday,

Julie

It's consdidered the busiest travel holiday of the year, Thanksgiving. For some the holiday began over the weekend for others it will be a long ride in a packed station wagon on the way to grandmas Wed night after a long day at the office. Don't forget your hands free device for your cell phone, check your tires and of course fill up that tank!!! Drive safe!!!

Julie

It's Friday and for some of you that means a break from the hectic commute that awaits you every morning. Then again, with the holiday approaching your weekend commute could be a little out of sorts as well. Just a reminder that some people will be traveling out of town over the weekend and some will have to wait till next week before they can make the trip to "grandmas" house. Expect the unexpected. Next weeks commute should be interesting. We may see lighter than usual traffic patterns or we could see bumper to bumper traffic. As you may already know, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. So whether you plan on hitting the road this weekend or if you have to wait till next week, pack your patience and be prepared for the littles ones to say, "Are we there yet?"

I guess I should start off by asking which do you think will be longer...the waiting line to travel from Germantown to the beltway on 270 or the line at your local Circuit City awaiting the arrival of the new PS3??? I think we're in for a wild ride today with the storms that are heading this way. I'd like to remind you guys to keep your headlights on when it rains. A good percentage of calls that come into the traffic center are people complaining that other people are driving around in the rain without their headlights on. I'd also like to remind you to allow yourself some extra time out on the roads today and drive safe.

I've been in the D.C. area for 11 years and I remember a time when rush hour was over and done with by 9am but that's not the case these days. More often than not folks are still sitting in traffic well through the 10 o'clock hour. Why is that??? Is the longer rush hour related to more people on the roads?? The weather--it's always late to clear out when it rains or could it be because of construction?? Rush hour now a days could be defined as "any time you hit the roads."