Car-Killing Potholes Close Important DC Commuting Route Wednesday

John Matthews
WMAL.com

BETHESDA, MD — (WMAL) A series of deep and dangerous potholes has claimed one of DC’s most popular commuter routes for at least one, and perhaps both of Wednesday’s rush hours.

The Clara Barton Parkway, which carries traffic from the Beltway in Maryland, along the Potomac River and into Georgetown, was closed to traffic overnight Wednesday so road crews can fill the holes and repair the road. The affected stretch runs between the Glen Echo Turnaround and the Chain Bridge.

National Park Service officials are aiming to have the road reopened for the Thursday morning rush hour, but will re-open it sooner if they can complete their work.

Drivers have reported increasing problems with the road surface in recent weeks, with the road surface claiming several flat tires before repairs finally got underway.

The Parkway is normally open to one-way traffic only during rush hour periods – inbound from 6:15 am to 10 am, and outbound between 2:45 pm and 7:15pm, but the entire stretch remains closed in both directions during the repair operation.