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Lori Aratani
Reporter focusing on transportation issues, including airports, airlines, and rail and subway systems
Passengers of the airlines traveling to Reagan National Airport on Friday night faced traffic that they called nightmarish chaos, while the metro service serving the airport was planned.
Car traffic seemed almost motionless and passengers lined up for shuttles to and from the airport.
Frustrated and impatient travelers have tried to reach Crystal City on foot from the airport.
"Traffic is stuck at the airport due to the closure of two stations by @ wmata, including ours." Said the airport on its Twitter feed.
He added that Metro's free shuttles also faced long waiting times.
The Twitter feeds of individual travelers and commuters were even more alive. "The situation in Pentagon City is currently chaotic," said a Tweet.
Another described what goes on there as being "crazy".
"I just returned from this nightmare," reads another Tweet, "the airport is full of passengers stranded. The roads are at a standstill and the sidewalks are filled with people going from Crystal City to the airport to catch the plane.
The message entitled Metro's actions is unacceptable.
Authorities urge travelers departing for Reagan National Airport this weekend to take a lot of extra time.
There is no metro service for the airport this weekend because of the work on the tracks. This, combined with ongoing construction work around Terminals B and C, could result in a nightmare for many people's traffic.
Did we mention it's also a three day weekend?
Friday afternoon, there were already reports of heavy traffic in and around the airport. Rainy weather has only added to traffic problems. Airport officials encouraged drivers to park rather than bypassing the airport.
The subway closure means there will be no yellow or blue train between Braddock Road and Pentagon City stations. In addition, the National Airport and Crystal City Railway Stations will be closed. A shuttle service is offered. Here are more details:
Friday and Monday:
- Blue Line trains will operate in two segments: between Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road every 12 minutes during the day and between Pentagon City and downtown Largo every 12 to 16 minutes.
- The yellow line trains will operate in two segments: Huntington and Braddock Road every 12 minutes during the day and between Pentagon City and Mount Vernon Square every 12 to 16 minutes.
- Buses will replace trains linking Braddock Road, National Airport, Crystal City and Pentagon City. Additional Express shuttles will run between Braddock Road and Pentagon City from 5:00 to 20:00. and between Franconia-Springfield and the Pentagon from 17h to 20h.
- Customers with blue and yellow lines may be overloaded due to less frequent service. Please allow extra travel time.
Saturday and Sunday:
- Blue Line trains will operate in two segments: between Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road every 12 to 15 minutes during the day and between Pentagon City and Eastern Market every 24 minutes all day.
- The yellow line trains will operate in two segments: between Huntington and Braddock Road every 12 to 15 minutes during the day and between Pentagon City and Mount Vernon Square every 24 minutes all day.
- Buses will replace trains linking Braddock Road, National Airport, Crystal City and Pentagon City. Additional express shuttles will operate between Braddock Road and Pentagon City from 07:00 to 20:00. Saturday and from 8 am to 8 pm on Sundays.
Metro recommends the following alternatives:
- A free shuttle service will link Braddock Road, National Airport, Crystal City and Pentagon City.
- A fast shuttle service will connect Braddock Road to Pentagon City from the system opening until 20:00.
- A fast shuttle service will connect Franconia-Springfield to Pentagon City from the system opening until 20:00. Friday and Monday only.
- Think of Metrobus or other local bus providers.
- Some customers traveling between Virginia and downtown Washington on Friday may wish to consider VRE train service between Franconia-Springfield, Crystal City or King Street, to Enfant Plaza or Union Station.
Metro is modernizing the switches located outside the National Airport station and has installed new concrete blocks for grout under the rails at the station. The work was initially scheduled to take place from November 2nd to Monday, but was postponed to the Veterans Day weekend to reduce the impact on commuters.
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