Dave Sweet
WMAL.com
When it comes to Pope Francis’s visit to the nation’s capital next week, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif Dormsjo says the fewer cars on the road, the better.
“We’re encouraging folks to use the transit system,” he said. “There will be some delays but it’s still going to be the most efficient way to get around.”
Dormsjo says the Pope’s visit runs parallel to an already-busy week for people traveling throughout the Washington metro area. The Nationals close out a series against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday; the same night Ed Sheeran performs in front of a sold out audience at the Verizon Center. He estimates people should add about an hour and a half to their normal commute.
“The business community is being very helpful in terms of telling workers to telecommute,” he said. “[Driving] should be your last resort.”
Traffic to Brookland Station at the Catholic University of America, where the pope delivers his noon mass next Wednesday, will be especially crowded. Brookland is the smallest stop along the red line and it could take as long as “a few hours” to pass through.
That will up the pressure on WMATA to handle a surplus of passengers both foreign and local. General Manager Jack Requa says accommodations are being made, such as day-long rush hour service and use of exit-only/entry-only strategies.
The Pope arrives at Joint Base Andrews at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 and leaves at the same time the following Thursday. In addition to his noon mass at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception he’ll also visit some local charities, the White House, and deliver a speech in front of the United States Congress.
