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What Week
Coming Up, Potentially
By Susan Olling
Those of us in the greater D.C. environs have been hearing that there
will be traffic chaos with what appears to be a perfect storm of
activity occurring in a week or so.
First, the Pope’s visiting. Then, there’s a concert.
Finally (yawn) the local MLB franchise is playing what’s being called
the Beltway Series against the Baltimore Orioles. At
National’s Park. Please note, the locals are already looking
forward to the 2016 baseball season. Why is anyone’s guess.
There are even those heretics who are thinking the local NFL franchise
may go 0-16. Well, they’re off to a good start in that
direction. Lost their opening game and were surprised that there
was so many teal and white wearing fans at FedEx Field (Kinda clashed a
bit with the burgundy and gold.). But I digress.
The biggest of the three events is the Pope’s visit. Not sure
why. We’ve been hearing for weeks that, with street closures and
delays, getting around D.C. will be difficult at best. There are
estimates that commuters could spend anywhere from forty-five minutes
to one-and-one-half hours trying to drive into D.C. from Northern
Virginia. There have been no estimates of how long Marylanders
will spend in cars trying to get around. People have been
strongly encouraged not to drive. Phrases like “last resort” have
been used. With driving apparently out of the question, the only
other option for those who have to get to work will be Metro. Oh
dear. Our little subway system and all the hordes expected?
I’m not certain how this will play out. However, Metro riders
will have no one to blame but themselves if their visits are less than
fun. Riders have been given plenty of information ahead of the
week of 20 September. The biggie: have a SmarTrip pre-loaded with
a few days’ worth of fares so you don’t have to stand in what could be
very long lines at the fare machines. A word from this veteran of
the trains, skip the paper fare cards. They can demagnetize or
become folded, spindled, and look like origami creations. Then,
you’re out of luck. Pack a lot of patience. It sounds like
getting around on Metro will be worse than any Fourth of July as far as
crowds are concerned. Station and service adjustments might
happen. Depending on security, some station entrances may have to
be closed temporarily. Trains and stations that are close to the
events for the Pope’s visit could see very large crowds (What a
surprise!). If you’re planning to use the buses, it sounds like
there will be detours or shortened routes near the events. The
weekday fare structure will still be in effect, and you’ll have to pay
to park in Metro parking lots and garages. The trains will operate
during the usual weekday hours. Fortunately, those riding
Metro trains will not be subjected to track work.
The crowded conditions, and the noise levels, at stations and on trains
will increase as concert-goers try to get downtown and baseball fans
try to get to the games.
Not to fear, bicycle riders and pedestrians will not be left out of the
experiencing street closures and detours.
It sounds like he has quite an itinerary planned what with visiting the
Vatican Embassy and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,
sites in two different quadrants of the city, by the way. And,
for a special treat, he’s going to address members of Congress.
That should be very interesting. Maybe he can encourage the kids
to work together to fund a budget and prevent another government
shutdown.
Some employers are encouraging their employees to telework (Great, if
your job is one where you can.), take a vacation day, or take leave
without pay (right). The site where I volunteer on Saturdays has
already let us know that they will be closed on the day of the pope’s
visit to Congress. Would that other employers would follow
suit.
Your humble contributor has no reason to be anywhere close to all of
this confusion. However, it looks like Mr. History will
have to be down there.
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