Team DDOT on Deck and Ready for Baseball Playoffs

(Washington, DC) – As the Washington Nationals begin their National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, employees from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) are on deck, preparing for when the series shifts to Washington later this week. On Wednesday, dozens of DDOT traffic control officers and school crossing guards will be at their posts to guide vehicular and pedestrian traffic to and from Nationals Park; Road Operations Patrol (ROP) units will be on the ready to clear disabled vehicles; and engineers will monitor traffic and remotely adjust the signal timing to mitigate delays.

“We are prepared to get fans in, watch the Nats win, and get home as quickly as possible,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “But with sellout crowds, anyone who drives can expect significant traffic, and our advice is to get to the games early. Even better, take transit if you can.”

The Nationals are scheduled to host postseason games Wednesday, October 10; Thursday, October 11; and Friday, October 12. Fans are encouraged to allow extra time to get to Nationals Park before the first pitch. Drivers should also be aware of traffic pattern changes that will be in place after the games.

DDOT’s Traffic Management Plan for the postseason is designed to direct traffic away from the stadium area and onto the freeways as efficiently as possible following each game. To that end, and to ensure the free flow of traffic, left turns will be restricted after the games at several intersections along M Street, SE and no turns will be permitted at the intersection of South Capitol Street and M Street (See graphic below) post-game.

As the graphic indicates, traffic on M Street will be directed east or west to reach the 11th Street Bridge or I-395 on ramps respectively; South Capitol Street traffic will be directed north to reach I-395 or south across the Douglass Bridge to I-295 or the Suitland Parkway.

Drivers are asked be use caution in the stadium area, watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, and follow the directions of law enforcement and traffic control officers.

Motorists are also reminded to pay close attention to the parking signs, particularly on residential streets in the neighborhoods around the ballpark. On many blocks, parking is reserved for residents only on one side of the street, and limited to two hour parking for non-residents on the other side.  The Department of Public Works (DPW) enforces the restrictions and baseball fans are asked to avoid parking in the neighborhoods as a courtesy to residents.

Information about the various transportation options include Metrorail, Metrobus, DC Circulator Buses, water taxi service and bicycle facilities is available on the Nationals website. In addition, Capital Bikeshare and its operator Alta Bicycle Share will provide a corral at the N and 1st Street, SE station next to the stadium. Staff will be on hand to check in bikes from members before the games, and the bikes will be available after the games as well. There are other Bikeshare stations in close proximity as well. For more information visit www.CapitalBikeshare.com .