WASHINGTON — Officials in Arlington County, Virginia want businesses and commuters to reconsider how residents get to work once Metro’s first SafeTrack surge begins June 4.
Employers are being asked to encourage workers to telecommute or flex their schedules to minimize the rush hour traffic on the roads.
Workers have several alternatives during this 12-day period. They can vanpool or carpool to limit the number of vehicles on the streets. People can also take a bus, bike or walk to work instead.
The county said it will have “bike trains” set up at each Metrorail station from East Falls Church to Rosslyn, where more experienced cyclists will lead groups of newer riders who want to try biking to work. Arlington will also improve direction signs along bike commuter routes to make it easier for these newer riders.
Longer buses will be used on the ART 55 and ART 52 to accommodate additional passengers.
The county will also be removing some street parking and converting some street sections to bus-only to handle more buses during rush hours. Traffic light timing may be adjusted to help move buses through the county more easily.
Scheduled roadwork will also be adjusted so it will not coincide with a SafeTrack surge.
Arlington officials said they will ask government employees to seek out travel alternatives and possibly telework. Above all else, the county advised that driving alone should be the last resort.
