The VA State Police warn motorists and commuters of predicted 9-9 gridlock on Friday, August 19 [TODAY], when approximately 1800 motorcycles roll to pay tribute to the lives lost on 9/11/01 during the terrorist attacks.
[NOTE CHANGE: GRIDLOCK IS FOR TODAY, NOT SEPT. 9 AS ORIGINALLY STATED.]
According to insidenova.com:
State police are warning Northern Virginia residents to brace for road closures and delays Friday afternoon and evening due to a Sept. 11 tribute motorcade.
Over 1,800 motorcyclists will pass through Northern Virginia coming south from Maryland starting at 3:30 p.m., all in part of the America’s 9/11 Foundation, Inc.’s annual memorial ride, Virginia state police said.
The multi-state procession will canvass areas affected by the Sept. 11 attacks Friday morning, starting in Somerset, Pa., just outside the crash site of hijacked plane United flight 93, which killed 44, officials said.
Bikers will stop by the Pentagon Friday afternoon, and continue to the World Trade Center site by Sunday morning, according to the America’s 9/11 Foundation website.
The procession plans on entering Loudoun County at 2 p.m. Friday, with officers stopping southbound traffic on U.S. 15 at the Virginia-Maryland line, police said.
Access to the Dulles Greenway from the U.S. 15 and Va.7 bypass will not be possible, but eastbound Greenway traffic will be open with one lane of traffic separated by cones from the motorcade, police said.
State police said motorists on Va. 267, the Dulles Toll Road, should expect to see heavy traffic congestion and significant delays coming to or from the airport Friday afternoon. They ask residents to check MWAA.com for more information.
Prince William residents on eastbound Interstate 66 could experience gridlock due to planned road closures on the highway between Interstate 495 to Va. 110 near the Pentagon, police said.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will have portable message boards installed near the route to alert motorists of the delays, police said.
This sounds like a good day for the feds to plan for a half day. Perhaps the 10th year anniversary marks a good time for us to close down the government as a day of remembrance of those who lost their lives. We could include a tribute to those who lose life and/or limb in the subsequent wars.
That would handle the traffic problem and it also probably would serve us well as a nation to take the time out. Even a half day would be something. Somewhere there would need to be legislation banning sales. It would have to be an austere, reflective day. It would follow a week later after Labor Day. Regardless, the feds need to let out early or allow very liberal leave. No one needs to be stuck in traffic for that long. I have almost talked myself out of the holiday….
Can’t help but wonder how and when it became an honor to have a big bunch of motorcyclists driving along our highways. Like this and like to Rolling Thunder.
I just don’t get it. Why not cars, or buses, or tractors, or bikes, or trikes, or scooters, or …
Anyway, before I go to bed, why motor cycles?
Moon – take time out? You know the malls would be open, no matter what. And if the Feds get half a day off, shouldn’t all workers get half a day off?
I guess that would be up to their employer. Most in this area tend to do what the feds do.
I don’t know why motorcycles.
Thank you for this, Moon. I have a flight out of Dulles at 3 pm today. Guess I’m leaving a lot sooner.
@Emma, I don’t think it is today, is it? I thought It was Friday SEpt. 9.
Don’t leave too early today.
The Post says today. Friday rush hour. Seriously? I’m thinking about all of the fossil fuels being burned, all the possible missed flights, the lost productivity and the added frustration to what already is a horror on 28 at almost all hours of the day, but worst on Fridays. Isn’t there a less destructive and less anger-inducing way to honor the victims of 9/11?
How the terrorists must laugh at us.
I guess I misread it. Why are they doing it today? I agree. Definitely a fuster cluck. And of course, I didn’t get the day right.
Emma, I went in and changed the date to today. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
One question–why is it happening 3 weeks before 9/11?
Save the day–Sunday Oct. 9