DR. G's TIPS

Sunday, August 26, 2007

New MARC Parking

Starting Monday morning, MARC riders will have a new parking lot at Point of Rocks. They can get to it from Route 28 at Monroe Street. Meanwhile, the west half of the old parking lot will be closed for work on drainage and lighting and reconfiguring spaces.

Suggestion for Bikers

Eric Gilliland, executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, noted that some gyms offer "shower only" memberships for bike commuters who don't have lockers and changing rooms at their workplaces.

Bus Stop Moved

Mark Betka of the District enjoys the $3 trip to Dulles International Airport on Metro's 5A bus, which used to leave from Seventh and D streets SW in front of the old Department of Transportation. However, he said last week, "I noticed that the building is undergoing major reconstruction, and the old 5A stop is no longer accessible." Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said the new stop for routes 5A, 52 and 54 is across the road, on the north side of D Street SW between Sixth and Seventh streets.

Student Transit Reminder

The District wants parents and students to remember that they need to get a Student Travel Application at their school and have it signed, dated and stamped by the school principal before bringing it to the District Department of Transportation's Mass Transit Administration office, 2217 14th Street NW, to qualify for the reduced student fare on Metro.

Message Boards

David Buck, spokesman for the Maryland State Highway Administration, notes that it is possible to check what's on all of the state's overhead message boards before leaving home by going to http://www.chart.state.md.us and clicking on "Highway Message Signs."

More Buses in Arlington

Arlington County's ART 41, which links Columbia Pike with the Clarendon and Court House areas, was too crowded and didn't run often enough, riders said. So Arlington improved the service last week, according to Bobbi Greenberg, Arlington's commuter services marketing manager. Among the upgrades: Weekday service will increase to every 15 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 8:12 p.m.

Ramp Opening Delayed

The National Park Service's reconstruction of the P Street ramp to Rock Creek Parkway is behind schedule. The Park Service says the hot weather delayed the pouring of concrete for the road surface. The northbound ramp won't be open until after Labor Day, and then work will start on the southbound ramp.

Montgomery Maintenance

County residents who have questions or concerns about road maintenance can call the transportation department's Customer Service Center at 240-777-6000. The center is open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ask for a service request number to track the county's progress.

� For more commuter talk, go to The Carpool at www.http://washingtonpost.com/carpool.

� For traffic information, go tohttp://www.washingtonpost.com/traffic.