I probably should have put this notification in a few days earlier, but I was kinda tied up getting ready to head north to my motorcycle weekend:
If you're travelling north from Cirque and heading back into Yankee-land, be warned that the DOT (both MD and VA) are opening the northbound side of the new Wilson Bridge crossing the Potomac this weekend.
AVOID the Washington Beltway at all costs this weekend!!! At least avoid crossing the Potomac over the bridge - I-95/495 is scheduled to be down to one lane from 2000 Friday evening until 0500 Monday morning in that area. The usual overhyped media warnings are talking about 4-14 mile backups, but there's going to be some serious traffic mess all the same.
Suggested routes north are:
1. Just north of Ashland, VA is an exit through Ft. A.P. Hill that leads to US 301. If my memory is correct, it's exit 98. Take it. You cross the Potomac at Waldorf, MD, and while that town is an over-developed pain in the butt, it's still better than the Wilson Bridge mess. You just follow 301 until you hit US 50 and go west to get back to the beltway, or (better) continue 301 north until you can get to I-97 (Baltimore/Annapolis interstate). Take it into the Baltimore beltway, and continue on your route.
2. If you must do the Washington beltway, plan on going around the long way, avoiding the Wilson Bridge.
Hope everybody has a safe trip home. Will definitely see you guys next year.
George R. "Syke" Paczolt Montpelier, VA
The best possible route
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