WASHINGTON — With many federal and municipal workers sleeping in on Memorial Day, traffic delays will be shorter than those observed during a typical Monday rush hour. Still, rain showers and puddles could cause slowdowns on the roads while track work will delay many rail riders.
Storm Team4 says rain will likely affect drivers near and east of the metro area at least through late Monday morning. A steadier rain at the Delmarva beaches may persuade vacationers to head home early. Homebound traffic volume should steadily increase on Route 50 away from Easton and Queenstown during the day. These drivers are required to have their headlights on when crossing the Bay Bridge.
High occupancy vehicle lane restrictions will not be in effect on Interstate 395, Interstate 66, the Dulles Toll Road or Interstate 270 on Monday. HOV-2 will be enforced for the left lane of Route 50 in Prince George’s County.
The I-95 Express Lanes will be open to northbound travelers all day long, including during the afternoon and evening hours. Northbound traffic on I-95 will gradually increase through the midday hours with delays likely through Fredericksburg and Stafford County by afternoon.
Rock Creek Parkway and Canal Road will remain open to two-way traffic during both rush hours. Portions of Beach Drive will be reserved for non-motor vehicle use between the Maryland line and Broad Branch Road. The center lanes of Connecticut Avenue and 16th Street will operate in a normal, non-rush hour direction.
The Memorial Day Parade near the National Mall will block most of Constitution Avenue between 7th Street and 23rd Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The numbered streets that intersect Constitution Avenue will also be closed, including busy 14th Street. 7th Street will be closed across the Mall for the parade staging area beginning at 7 a.m.
In the District, most parking restrictions will be lifted except near the parade route. Parking meter enforcement will not take place. Residential zone parking and rush-hour lane restrictions will be lifted.
While it may be easier to drive and park, rail passengers will be challenged. Metro stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight but weekend rebuilding continues on many stretches of track.
On the Orange Line, the Vienna, Dunn Loring and West Falls Church stations will remain closed for a third day in a row. Express and local buses will run between the closed stations.
Blue and Silver line trains will single-track between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, and will run every 20 minutes. Orange Line trains will not run so riders should use Silver or Blue line trains.
Green Line trains, running 20 minutes apart, will share tracks between U Street and Fort Totten for maintenance. Yellow Line trains will run between Huntington to Mt. Vernon Square every 12 to 15 minutes.
Off-peak fares will be in effect all day and parking is free at Metro-owned garages. `
Metro buses will be fewer and farther between, operating on a Sunday schedule.
VRE or MARC trains will not run on Monday.
