Hazardous Road Conditions and Major Transit Delays Following Winter Storm Fern

Commuter Alert: Residual Impacts from Winter Storm Fern

Washington D.C. commuters are facing a difficult Monday morning as the region grapples with the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. While the active snowfall has subsided, an overnight refreeze has left many major arteries and residential streets in a treacherous state. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) have issued several alerts regarding limited service and impassable roadways that will significantly impact the Monday morning commute.

Metrorail and Metrobus Service Updates

WMATA has announced significant modifications to its service schedule for today, Monday, January 26. Commuters should be aware of the following changes:

• Metrobus: Service resumed at 8:00 AM following a two-hour delay to allow for road clearing. However, service remains extremely limited. Many routes are currently suspended or operating on significant detours. Riders are urged to check the MetroPulse app for real-time updates on specific lines.
• Metrorail: Trains began running at 6:00 AM but are operating on a Sunday schedule, with headways of approximately 30 minutes across all lines. Additional delays are expected due to staffing shortages caused by the storm.
• Line-Specific Restrictions: The Silver Line is currently restricted to service between Ashburn and Downtown Largo only. The Yellow Line is operating exclusively between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square due to weather-related infrastructure conditions.
• MetroAccess: Service is restricted to medically essential trips only. All other pre-scheduled trips have been canceled until at least noon today as officials continue to monitor road safety.

Major Road Conditions and Hazards

Road conditions throughout the DMV remain hazardous. Traffic officials report that while main highways like I-495 and I-395 have been treated, secondary roads and elevated surfaces are prone to black ice. Commuters should pay particular attention to the following areas:

• Bridges and Ramps: I-395 HOV Bridge rehabilitation work continues to impact lane configurations. Combined with the refreeze, these areas are particularly slick.
• I-95/I-495 Interchange: Ongoing construction and upgrades near MD 5 (Branch Avenue) have created narrow lanes that are difficult to navigate in icy conditions.
• Surface Streets: DDOT reports that several tunnels, including the 12th Street Expressway and the Thomas Circle Tunnel, have seen residual delays following earlier maintenance and weather-related incidents.

Additional Transport Notices

The DC Streetcar is operating under a revised schedule as part of its planned service wind-down. For today, riders should expect 20-minute headways. Additionally, travelers heading to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should check with their airlines, as major carriers like JetBlue have issued travel waivers through the end of the day due to the severe weather conditions in the Mid-Atlantic corridor.

Commuters are advised to stay home if possible or to allow at least twice the usual travel time if they must head into the city. Use extreme caution on station platforms and when entering or exiting transit vehicles.