Additional Emergency Response Technicians to Help Keep Traffic Moving
(January 17, 2017) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is suspending non-emergency lane closures between Wednesday, January 18 at 12:01 a.m. through Saturday, January 21 at 11:59 p.m. in anticipation of heavy traffic volumes associated with the Presidential Inauguration and other associated events. Additionally, SHA will deploy additional emergency response technicians to help clear disabled vehicles and crashes on major routes in Maryland in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
“Federal offices will be closed on January 20, Inauguration Day, which should ease traffic congestion. However, with rain in the forecast, we encourage attendees to use mass transit or telecommute to avoid potential delays in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area,” said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson, P.E. “You can Know Before You Go and view live traffic cameras by logging onto
www.md511.org.”
SHA will suspend non-emergency lane closures on major routes, mainly in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, including: I-95, I-495, I-70, I-270, US 50, US 301, MD 295 and similar roads leading to and from Washington, D.C.
Drivers on Inauguration Day should keep the following in mind:
• SHA crews and Maryland State Police may temporarily close ramps to manage congestion;
• Be prepared for heavy traffic, particularly along routes leading directly into Washington D.C. ;
• SHA is urging commercial vehicles to avoid travel on interstates in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties;
• Many travelers may not be familiar with the area; and
• Allow extra time for travel and have an advanced plan for parking in Washington, D.C.
SHA is working with other agencies in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and the federal government to ensure safety and to provide up-to-the-minute information for motorists.
Click here for a link to the Maryland Transit Administration and
click here for the Washington D.C. Metrorail;
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