WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Now that Pope Benedict is out of town, your ride should be a lot smoother this week. No more rolling closures due to motorcades, and Metro should get a break from massive crowds as well.

Area commuters will definitely notice a difference is on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest Washington. Lane restrictions had been in place last week leading up to and traveling past the Apostolic Nunciature, aka the Vatican embassy, near the Vice President’s Residence on Observatory Circle. Those restrictions have now been lifted. But while the pope is gone, local construction projects are not.

Here are some of the big ones for the upcoming week:

- VIRGINIA:

In advance of the high-occupancy toll lane project on the Capital Beltway, there will be shoulder and lane closures on both the Inner and Outer loops as the Virginia Department of Transportation conducts drilling tests. All of the work will take place after the morning rush and before the evening rush.

There will be shoulder/lane closures on the Outer Loop on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday near the Braddock Road Interchange, the Interstate 66 Overpass and Route 50. The closures are scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Also, look for shoulder/lane closures on the Inner Loop every day this week near Braddock Road, Little River Turnpike, Route 7 and Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road). That work will also take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 pm.

In addition, VDOT will be drilling where Route 267 east (the Dulles Access Toll Road east) connects with the Capital Beltway, on Friday between 9:30 a.m. and noon.

- THE DISTRICT:

The D.C. Department of Transportation has to perform what it is calling “emergency repairs” and maintenance on the northbound lanes of the 14th Street Bridge all week long. The work should not interfere with rush hours, however, as it will take place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Starting tonight, up to three lanes at a time may shut down on the bridge. The work should be wrapped up by 5 a.m. Friday, in time for the morning rush. Minor delays are expected.

- OVERDRIVE ISSUE OF THE WEEK: The pope

With all the rolling closures and large crowds for the pope, did you have a tough time getting around? Share your story with us and let us now if your commute was a mess, or if the city pulled it all off.