Why is there always a slow down at the American Legion bridge going into Md? (cars)

[314Pie]

then after the bridge, it flows free again?


8pm weekdays

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by 314Pie

then after the bridge, it flows free again?


8pm weekdays

It's a choke point. You have more lanes of traffic having to merge down to 4 lanes. There's the entrances from 267, 193, and the GW Parkway dumping more traffic onto the bridge. The traffic adds up. On the Maryland side, you have traffic exiting, and the extra long entrance ramp from Clara Barton. Traffic often chokes where that merge lane runs out though. Other than that, there are few choke points, so traffic flows better. At the peak time, the 270 ssPlit backs up traffic across the bridge and down as far as Tysons.

[austindoxie1972]

For me, it's usually because that's point at which I begin questioning my reason for entering Maryland. Why? Oh Why?

[snowdenscold]

Elevation change also plays a factor.

As you approach the bridge, people naturally hit their brakes a bit as they head down the big hill. This is exacerbated by the fact that there's a big curve as you go down, so there's not good line of sight, which also makes people cautious.

Then on the other side it takes cars awhile to get going as they have a large incline to contend with.

[FCNova]

It was already a choke point but I think the Express Lanes made it worse. Always seems backed up there now where the express lanes dump into the regular lanes.

[HokieFan]

The outerloop approaching the GW Bridge is also always backed up during the evening rush.

Maybe Austindoxie is correct in that people are slowing while second guessing their decision to go into Maryland.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

The outerloop approaching the GW Bridge is also always backed up during the evening rush.

Maybe Austindoxie is correct in that people are slowing while second guessing their decision to go into Maryland.

GW Bridge? Did you mean the Woodrow Wilson bridge?

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

The outerloop approaching the GW Bridge is also always backed up during the evening rush.

Maybe Austindoxie is correct in that people are slowing while second guessing their decision to go into Maryland.

The discussion was about the Inner Loop and the American Legion Bridge. However, you are correct that the Outer Loop is also backed up everyday. It could be Marylanders second guessing their decision to go to Virginia. Or perhaps they are afraid of getting a reckless driving ticket in Virginia.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by spencgr

GW Bridge? Did you mean the Woodrow Wilson bridge?

Yep! That's exactly which one I meant. My mistake.

Originally Posted by dkf747

The discussion was about the Inner Loop and the American Legion Bridge. However, you are correct that the Outer Loop is also backed up everyday. It could be Marylanders second guessing their decision to go to Virginia. Or perhaps they are afraid of getting a reckless driving ticket in Virginia.

Perhaps!

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by austindoxie1972

For me, it's usually because that's point at which I begin questioning my reason for entering Maryland. Why? Oh Why?

Yea I cannot confirm nor deny hating Maryland, and I cannot confirm nor deny believing it's a dump