After-work traffic in D.C. snarls as rail repairs continue

After a relatively smooth morning commute, motorists reported snarled traffic during Tuesday’s evening rush as the second workday of Metro’s rail repairs drew to a close.

Drivers are taking to the road during the 13 days of repairs, which Metro calls its SafeTrack effort. At the height of the congestion, some Metrobuses were delayed by 45 minutes.

Officer Charles Duckett, who is with the department’s traffic office, said the traffic jam is a “reflection of SafeTrack.”

“But for the most part, it hasn’t been that bad,” said Duckett, who said there were routine fender benders but that traffic was moderate in the main thoroughfares by 7:30 p.m.

He added, “Welcome to D.C.”

70,74,79: Due to traffic congestion at 7th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW, buses are experiencing up to 35-min delays.

— Metrobus Info (@Metrobusinfo) June 7, 2016

Bus service has been so bad in DC due to traffic caused by #safetrack that people may actually choose to migrate back to #WMATA rail

— dcmetrosucks (@dcmetrosucks) June 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/Dyism/status/740321285234937856

.@DDOTDC Traffic Control Officer at 17th & K watches as gridlock takes over. Says drivers won't obey her pic.twitter.com/6dcOGcyZfg

— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) June 7, 2016

Moderate traffic volume on major roads, interstates highways, tunnels, & bridges. in Wash, DC
Drive Smart & Arrive Safely

— DC Police Traffic (@DCPoliceTraffic) June 7, 2016

Staff writer Justin Wm. Moyer contributed to this report.