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What Week Coming Up, Potentially
By Susan Olling

Those of us in the greater D.C. environs have been hearing that there will be traffic chaos with what appears to be a perfect storm of activity occurring in a week or so.
 
First, the Pope’s visiting.  Then, there’s a concert.  Finally (yawn) the local MLB franchise is playing what’s being called the Beltway Series against the Baltimore Orioles.   At National’s Park.  Please note, the locals are already looking forward to the 2016 baseball season.  Why is anyone’s guess.  There are even those heretics who are thinking the local NFL franchise may go 0-16.  Well, they’re off to a good start in that direction.  Lost their opening game and were surprised that there was so many teal and white wearing fans at FedEx Field (Kinda clashed a bit with the burgundy and gold.).  But I digress. 
 
The biggest of the three events is the Pope’s visit.  Not sure why.  We’ve been hearing for weeks that, with street closures and delays, getting around D.C. will be difficult at best.  There are estimates that commuters could spend anywhere from forty-five minutes to one-and-one-half hours trying to drive into D.C. from Northern Virginia.  There have been no estimates of how long Marylanders will spend in cars trying to get around.  People have been strongly encouraged not to drive.  Phrases like “last resort” have been used.  With driving apparently out of the question, the only other option for those who have to get to work will be Metro.  Oh dear.  Our little subway system and all the hordes expected?  I’m not certain how this will play out.  However, Metro riders will have no one to blame but themselves if their visits are less than fun.  Riders have been given plenty of information ahead of the week of 20 September.  The biggie: have a SmarTrip pre-loaded with a few days’ worth of fares so you don’t have to stand in what could be very long lines at the fare machines.  A word from this veteran of the trains, skip the paper fare cards.  They can demagnetize or become folded, spindled, and look like origami creations.  Then, you’re out of luck.  Pack a lot of patience.  It sounds like getting around on Metro will be worse than any Fourth of July as far as crowds are concerned.  Station and service adjustments might happen.  Depending on security, some station entrances may have to be closed temporarily.  Trains and stations that are close to the events for the Pope’s visit could see very large crowds (What a surprise!).  If you’re planning to use the buses, it sounds like there will be detours or shortened routes near the events.  The weekday fare structure will still be in effect, and you’ll have to pay to park in Metro parking lots and garages. The trains will operate during the usual weekday hours.   Fortunately, those riding Metro trains will not be subjected to track work.
 
The crowded conditions, and the noise levels, at stations and on trains will increase as concert-goers try to get downtown and baseball fans try to get to the games.
 
Not to fear, bicycle riders and pedestrians will not be left out of the experiencing street closures and detours.
 
It sounds like he has quite an itinerary planned what with visiting the Vatican Embassy and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, sites in two different quadrants of the city, by the way.  And, for a special treat, he’s going to address members of Congress.  That should be very interesting.  Maybe he can encourage the kids to work together to fund a budget and prevent another government shutdown. 
 
Some employers are encouraging their employees to telework (Great, if your job is one where you can.), take a vacation day, or take leave without pay (right).  The site where I volunteer on Saturdays has already let us know that they will be closed on the day of the pope’s visit to Congress.  Would that other employers would follow suit. 
 
Your humble contributor has no reason to be anywhere close to all of this confusion.   However, it looks like Mr. History will have to be down there.


 
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