The Maryland Transit Authority says metro stations are filling with vehicles, but there is still a chance to get on a train or bus to get to Washington, D.C. for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration.
MTA officials tell ABC2 News that so far there is moderate to heavy traffic on roads heading into Washington, D.C. and the Capital Beltway. However, that traffic is not described as heavier than a normal rush hour at this time.
The situation at Metro stations is a bit different. MTA officials say parking lots are already full at the Greenbelt, New Carrollton, Branch Avenue, and Largo stations causing them to be closed. The Shady Grove station is close to being full, but no word if it has been closed, yet.
MTA is still encouraging mass transit this morning as the best option to get to Washington, D.C., especially commuter buses. Many people are using the Columbia location at Broken Land Parkway. You are also encourage to try the Scaggsville (U.S. Route 29 and MD Route 216), Burtonsville (U.S. Route 29 at MD Route 198), Frederick, Annapolis (Harry Truman Parkway and Riva Road), and Waldorf (near Billingsly and Piney Church) locations.
MARC trains and commuter buses are running fine this morning, but officials ask everyone to use patience and kindness on what promises to be a very busy and long day of commuting.
For more information, check out the MTA
website.
Traffic Update from State Highway Administration
UPDATE AS OF: January 20 at 8:05 a.m.Get the latest real-time updates by logging onto www.marylandroads.com and click the CHART icon or follow us on Twitter by clicking this link
www.twitter.com/MDSHA.
WMATA is reporting that the Greenbelt, New Carrollton and Branch Avenue lots are full. Greenbelt Metro users should use Prince George’s plaza lots, New Carrollton users should use the Landover lot and Branch Avenue should use Naylor Road or Suitland lots.
The Shady Grove Metro lot in Montgomery County is full and the Broken Land Parkway commuter bus lot in Howard County is full. The College Park Metro Lot in Prince George’s County is nearly capacity.
DC Region· I-95 between I-695 and I-495: Moderate from MD 212 to the I-95/I-495 Split
· Traffic flowing well across Woodrow Wilson and American Legion Bridges
· I-495 (Capital Beltway) in Montgomery Co.: All lanes open-moderate traffic
· I-95/495 (Capital Beltway) in Prince George’s Co.: Light to moderate traffic along I-95/I-495, heavier near regional Metro stations.
· MD 295 (Baltimore Washington Parkway): Moderate to heavy traffic
· I-270: All lanes open – moderate traffic
· US 50: Heavy traffic near I-95/I-495
· I-295: All lanes open – moderate traffic
· US 29 (Columbia Pike): All lanes open - moderate traffic
· MD 355 (Wisconsin Avenue) in Chevy Chase (two right lanes blocked southbound) – Utility work
Baltimore Region· Crash reported along the outer loop of I-695 at Wilkins Avenue (Lanes blocked).
Eastern and Southern Maryland Regions· US 50 (John Hanson Highway): All lanes open--moderate traffic
Western Maryland· All lanes open—heavy traffic along southbound US 15 near US 40 in Frederick County (resulting from earlier crash.)
