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Getting ready for the Fourth
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Fourth of July is now just four days away — and that means plenty will be happening around the region this week, including road closures and parking restrictions.
Every year the National Park Service highly recommends taking public transportation to see the fireworks on the National Mall. If you are driving, expect huge crowds and very limited parking.
The best bet for drivers may be to park at a Metro station and take the train. The closest Metro stops to the mall are the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations on the Orange and Blue lines, as well as the Archives/Navy Memorial and L’Enfant Plaza stations on the Yellow and Green lines.
The Independence Day Parade is this Friday and runs from about noon until 2 p.m. That will shut down Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets NW.
As for the fireworks on the National Mall, they are set to go off between 9:10 and 9:30 Friday night. The National Park Service recommends these spots to catch the show: the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall between 14th Street and the U.S. Capitol, FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park, Marine Corps Memorial, and George Washington Memorial Parkway across the Potomac River in Virginia.
HOV RULES
There is something good that comes from the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year: High-occupancy vehicle rules will be lifted in Virginia. Remember, however, that HOV rules are always in effect in Maryland.
I-95 WIDENING
Be aware that the Virginia Department of Transportation plans to close down one of the HOV lanes between Lorton Road and the Fairfax County Parkway this week. The right lane will be closed between Exit 166, Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100), and Exit 160, Woodbridge (Route 123), from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Groundwork is taking place.
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:19 AM MST on Tue., May. 13, 2008 re: "Construction pain for an extra lane"
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2:03 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 28, 2008
re: "Gas prices go wild"
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10:28 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 28, 2008
re: "Gas prices go wild"
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6:04 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 28, 2008
re: "Gas prices go wild"
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Examiner Reader said:
And what about exit 160 southbound on I-95?? A huge bottleneck battling the afternoon sun, a Route 1 so0uthbound exit ramp and an exit 160 off ramp from Rt. 123 to southbound I-95. It all happens too quickly. I say, build a second level!!!!!! And, while you are at it, close the truck scales during rush hour. These big guys really mess it up as they merge onto I-95 again. Not their fault. Blame VDOT for such a mess!
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GAB said:
How can I take a columnist seriously who can't tell the difference between "brake" and "break"? Can I have Mr. Eldridge back, please?
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Break, breaks... Are you talking about BRAKES?
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Examiner Reader said:
Hmmmm looks like it's going to be time to just stay home. This is a crock of you know what,maybe we as drivers all need to go to DC just like the truckers.This is just the beggining hold onto your wallet. Lucky for me i just bought a hybrid car yes a prius i got 62mi to the gallon last week. So my advice the sooner we get off this oil crap the better off we will be so go get yourself a hybrid and do something about it. Instead of just boo hooing over prices. Happy miling to ya.
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