WASHINGTON — The first few days of Metro’s extensive track work has resulted in heavier-than-expected traffic struggling to enter and exit the District, and D.C. officials say that help is on the way.
The District Department of Transportation has already extended rush hour parking restrictions to try to ease the extra traffic created by the first wave of repairs that are part of Metro’s 10-month rehabilitation program. But the District also plans to hire more traffic control officers to cover additional intersections.
Currently, the District has traffic officers helping to keep traffic moving at 10 intersections and corridors Downtown, according to NBC Washington.
“We expect to have the first wave hired by the end of the month,” DDOT communications director Terry Owens told WTOP. “There will be a training process, of course, before we put people out there.”
Tuesday Mayor Muriel Bowser told NBC Washington the District did not have much advanced notice to plan for the hiring and training needed to have the officers in place at the beginning of Metro’s track work program.
Although extra traffic control officers won’t be available for several weeks, DDOT has already extended rush hour parking restrictions in both morning and afternoons.
“The morning rush hour has been extended by a half-hour until 10 o’clock, the evening rush hour has also been extended — it now lasts until 7 p.m.,” said Owens.
Temporary and permanent signs have been posted along 18 streets extending the rush hour restrictions.
“We’re encouraging motorists to heed the warnings because the ‘no parking’ restrictions are being enforced,” said Owens.
Owens said the rush hour extensions will be modified with each stage of Metro’s repair plan.
“As each surge occurs we will evaluate what we need to do to try to lessen the impact of increased traffic volume,” Owens said.
DDOT says these 18 streets are marked with extended parking restrictions:
- 1900-2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
- Unit block — 2300 Washington Circle NW
- 2900-3400 M Street NW
- 1100-1800 H Street NW
- 1100-2000 H Street NW
- 1000 K Street NW
- 800 11th Street NW
- 800-900 13th Street NW
- 800-900 14th Street NW
- 800-900 15th Street NW
- 800 Vermont Avenue NW
- 800-900 16th Street NW
- 800 Connecticut Avenue NW
- 800-900 17th Street NW
- 800-900 18th Street NW
- 800-900 19th Street NW
- 800-900 20th Street NW
- 900 21st Street NW
