Snow Removal Closures on Colorado Avenue and Clara Barton Parkway Utility Repairs Impact Thursday Commute

Major Road Impacts and Snow Operations

Commuters navigating Northwest D.C. this morning should prepare for intermittent delays and shifting traffic patterns near Rock Creek Park. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is currently utilizing the Carter Barron Amphitheater parking lot for temporary snow storage and disposal following recent winter weather. Motorists should expect lane closures and a heavy presence of service vehicles along Colorado Avenue NW and Morrow Drive NW. These operations are expected to cause slow-moving traffic throughout the day as crews work to clear District streets.

In addition to snow removal, utility work continues to impact major arteries. DC Water crews are still on-site at the Clara Barton Parkway and I-495 interchange. While the risk of further utility overflow has been minimized, cleaning and bypass pumping operations remain active. Drivers using the Parkway to access the Capital Beltway should stay alert for maintenance vehicles and potential shoulder closures that may restrict flow during peak morning and afternoon hours.

Metrorail and Transit Service Updates

For those relying on public transportation, there is a mix of restored service and ongoing maintenance alerts to note for Thursday, February 5:

• Arlington Transit (ART): Following the recent winter storm, ART has announced a return to normal service levels for the majority of its network today. This includes routes 42, 43, 51, 52, 72, 77, and 87. However, commuters should note that routes 74 and 84 remain suspended at this time.
• Mt. Vernon Square Station: A major elevator rehabilitation project began earlier this week. The elevator servicing the platform and mezzanine levels is currently out of service and is expected to remain unavailable for approximately two months.
• Navy Yard-Ballpark: The Half Street entrance remains closed for escalator replacement. Riders are directed to use the New Jersey Avenue entrance.
• Rosslyn Station: Long-term work continues on the replacement of all eight station escalators. While the station remains open, platform access may be more crowded than usual during the morning rush.

Streetcar and Long-term Construction

Travelers on the H Street corridor are reminded that the DC Streetcar is now operating under its transition schedule. Passengers should plan for 20-minute headways throughout the day. This service adjustment is part of the phased wind-down of streetcar operations leading toward the permanent closure of the line scheduled for late March.

Finally, construction on the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains active. Although the major roadway replacement is largely complete, motorists should anticipate periodic single-lane closures for bridge approach work and signage installation, particularly near the Route 123 interchange. These work zones often cause sudden backups, so allow an extra 15 minutes for your cross-river commute.