Adventures in Real Life
Fire, dead body complicate commute into Georgetown
January 7, 2010 - 9:40am
WASHINGTON - Drivers are finding the commute into Georgetown more frustrating than normal.
The problem is an electrical fire in the conduit work on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge over the Rock Creek Parkway.
The fire in the bridge structure closed southbound Rock Creek Parkway between Calvert Street and the Kennedy Center, as well as the portion of Pennsylvania Avenue where it crosses Rock Creek.
The problems started about 6 a.m. when D.C. Fire and EMS responded to a report of smoke in the 2800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Pepco was called to the scene, and nearby roads closed as a precaution.
At first, D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said, "The fire appeared to involve some cabling in the infrastructure, superstructure of the bridge."
A report from Piringer at 9:34 a.m. said the fire appeared to be low voltage and associated and associated with street lights
The fire was still burning about three hours after it was reported.
By 9:08 a.m. an electrical contractor had arrived on the scene.
"A contractor has just arrived on the scene to shut the power off so that the fire can be extinguished," reported WTOP Traffic Reporter Jim Russ from the scene.
While on the fire scene, firefighters located a man's body near the foot of the M Street Bridge, not far from the fire scene. The man's death is not believed to be related to the bridge fire. D.C. police are investigating the death.
Drivers coming from Rosslyn into Georgetown over the Key Bridge are not allowed to turn right on M Street.
"Don't commit to the Key Bridge," is the advice of WTOP Traffic reporter Lisa Baden.
Those on the Key Bridge are forced to turn left and go outbound on Canal Road and Foxhall Road. They can get on to the Whitehurst Freeway.
WTOP has traffic and weather together on the 8s.
WTOP's Custom Commute also will help you navigate your trip.
(Copyright 2010 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
WASHINGTON - Drivers are finding the commute into Georgetown more frustrating than normal.
The problem is an electrical fire in the conduit work on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge over the Rock Creek Parkway.
The fire in the bridge structure closed southbound Rock Creek Parkway between Calvert Street and the Kennedy Center, as well as the portion of Pennsylvania Avenue where it crosses Rock Creek.
The problems started about 6 a.m. when D.C. Fire and EMS responded to a report of smoke in the 2800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Pepco was called to the scene, and nearby roads closed as a precaution.
At first, D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer said, "The fire appeared to involve some cabling in the infrastructure, superstructure of the bridge."
A report from Piringer at 9:34 a.m. said the fire appeared to be low voltage and associated and associated with street lights
The fire was still burning about three hours after it was reported.
By 9:08 a.m. an electrical contractor had arrived on the scene.
"A contractor has just arrived on the scene to shut the power off so that the fire can be extinguished," reported WTOP Traffic Reporter Jim Russ from the scene.
While on the fire scene, firefighters located a man's body near the foot of the M Street Bridge, not far from the fire scene. The man's death is not believed to be related to the bridge fire. D.C. police are investigating the death.
Drivers coming from Rosslyn into Georgetown over the Key Bridge are not allowed to turn right on M Street.
"Don't commit to the Key Bridge," is the advice of WTOP Traffic reporter Lisa Baden.
Those on the Key Bridge are forced to turn left and go outbound on Canal Road and Foxhall Road. They can get on to the Whitehurst Freeway.
So, our office currently peopled by the two people that walk in (I'm one of them), the two people who get in before 7am, and the two people who live up Wisconsin Ave and know all the back streets to avoid traffic.
By 10am, we've usually got a full house.
Could be worse, could be Tuesday.