Interstate 395 tops the list of the Washington region’s worse traffic bottlenecks, a new report shows.
Six of the top 10 worst roads are in Northern Virginia, two are in Maryland and two are in the District.
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board’s 2011 Aerial Congestion Survey shows that congestion is “significantly” worse than in 2008, the year planners used as a benchmark.
“Congestion is worsening because the economy has improved since the last survey. Depending on which part you focus on, there’s good news and there’s bad news,” said Ron Kirby, director of transportation planning for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
One bright spot emerged in the gloomy traffic picture: The opening of the Woodrow Wilson bridge eliminated hours-long waits during the morning rush on the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway (I-95) from St. Barnabas Road in Prince George’s County to Telegraph Road in Alexandria, according to the TPB.
<br/><p>Here are the top 10 bottlenecks for 2011:</p> <p><i>1.</i> Northbound I-395 (from Washington Boulevard to Jefferson Davis Highway)<br/><i> From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., average speed is 5 mph.</i></p> <p><i>2. (tie)</i> Inner Loop I-495 (from Georgetown Pike to George Washington Memorial Parkway)<br/> <i> From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., average speed is 5-10 mph.</i></p> <p><i>2. (tie) </i>Southbound I-395/Southwest Freeway (from 4th Street to 12th Street)<br/> <i>From 6 to 7 p.m., average speed is 5-10 mph.</i></p> <p><i>4. </i>Eastbound Interstate 66 (from Leesburg Pike to the Dulles Access Road)<br/> <i>From 6 to 7 p.m., average speed is 7-12 mph.</i></p> <p><i>5. (tie) </i>Inner Loop I-495 (from MD-355/I-270 to MD-185/Connecticut Avenue)<br/> <i>From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., average speed is 10-15 mph.</i></p> <p><i>5. (tie) </i>Outer Loop I-495 (from Dulles Toll Road to Chain Bridge Road)<br/><i> From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., average speed is 10-15 mph.</i></p> <p><i>7. (tie) </i>Outer Loop I-495 (from I-95 to New Hampshire Avenue)<br/> <i>From 8 to 9 a.m., average speed is 12-20 mph.</i></p> <p><i>7. (tie) </i>Inner Loop I-495 (from Gallows Road to Arlington Boulevard)<br/> <i>From 8 to 9 a.m., average speed is 12-20 mph.</i></p> <p><i>9. (tie) </i>Eastbound 66 (from Route 234 Bypass to Sudley Road)<br/> <i>From 7 to 8 a.m., average speed is 15-25 mph.</i></p> <p><i>9. (tie) </i>Westbound 11th Street Bridge (from I-295 to Southeast Freeway)<br/><i> From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., average speed is 15-25 mph.</i></p> <ol/>
