New traffic pattern at IAD
Dec 20, 2007 | 11:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,452
New traffic pattern at IAD
No not air traffic, vehicle traffic.
This morning while nice and groggy my exit from 28 was sharper than the day before. Sure enough the new roadways are open. Going to the airport on the access road exits to rental cars and long term parking much sooner. The exit from southbound 28 puts you into that merge and vehicles that want to merge back into short-term and terminal traffic have to get over to the left.
I hope I explained all that correctly. Bottom line is to be aware that things have changed, since with holiday travel there will surely be people who missed their turn and feel the need to stop in the middle of the road.
This morning while nice and groggy my exit from 28 was sharper than the day before. Sure enough the new roadways are open. Going to the airport on the access road exits to rental cars and long term parking much sooner. The exit from southbound 28 puts you into that merge and vehicles that want to merge back into short-term and terminal traffic have to get over to the left.
I hope I explained all that correctly. Bottom line is to be aware that things have changed, since with holiday travel there will surely be people who missed their turn and feel the need to stop in the middle of the road.
Dec 20, 2007 | 1:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Late Tuesday night I noticed that the 25MPH signs appeared to be gone on my trip from long term parking to the access road.
I don't understand, however, why just a single left lane goes to the access road while multiple lanes go to 28? Do more people use 28 than actually head for town or the beltway?
I don't understand, however, why just a single left lane goes to the access road while multiple lanes go to 28? Do more people use 28 than actually head for town or the beltway?
Dec 20, 2007 | 2:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: UA 2.5MM; HH Diamond; Hyatt Platinum; MR Gold
Posts: 1,361
Returning home from IAD on the 12/9 (in heavy rain), I missed the entry to the Dulles Access Road and ended up on the toll road. The only sign I noticed read "To I-495." I don't remember seeing anything saying "Dulles Access Road (No Toll)" or "To I-66." Since I found myself in the wrong lane and didn't connect the "To I-495" sign to the Access Road, I didn't exit. Next thing I know, I see a sign telling me to pay toll ahead. Only then did everything click. Hopefully signage has improved since then, but now I'm definitely on the alert to take the left exit onto the access road upon exiting the airport.
Dec 20, 2007 | 6:00 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Yeah, it's been like that for a few weeks...
One thing to note - when you're leaving the airport, if you want to get on the non-toll roads, stay as far to the left as you can - just keep merging left - that'll take you onto the non-toll roads. It's pretty immediate if you're leaving from the Daily lots...
One thing to note - when you're leaving the airport, if you want to get on the non-toll roads, stay as far to the left as you can - just keep merging left - that'll take you onto the non-toll roads. It's pretty immediate if you're leaving from the Daily lots...
Dec 21, 2007 | 6:28 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Same if you're leaving the economy lots. I still want to know if this is the permanant set-up because it seems foolish to cross several lanes of traffic to get to the single access road lane.
Dec 21, 2007 | 3:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
Yes, this is the permanent setup on exiting the airport now.
Leaving Hourly Parking, or driving away from the terminal, the 2 left lanes are marked for "I-495" (and, yes, they have plenty of room on the overhead signs to add "NO TOLL"). The right lanes are marked for Route 28 (and if you don't get onto Route 28, or make a left-lane exit, from these lanes you will get to the toll plaza).
Exiting from other parts of the airport (specifically Economy parking and rental car lots), you are initially led onto the right lanes mentioned above. But there are TWO left-lane crossovers from that roadway onto the "I-495" roadway (a.k.a. the toll-free Dulles Access Road).
There is a good, updated diagram at http://mwaa.com/_/file/_/northroads2008.pdf
Leaving Hourly Parking, or driving away from the terminal, the 2 left lanes are marked for "I-495" (and, yes, they have plenty of room on the overhead signs to add "NO TOLL"). The right lanes are marked for Route 28 (and if you don't get onto Route 28, or make a left-lane exit, from these lanes you will get to the toll plaza).
Exiting from other parts of the airport (specifically Economy parking and rental car lots), you are initially led onto the right lanes mentioned above. But there are TWO left-lane crossovers from that roadway onto the "I-495" roadway (a.k.a. the toll-free Dulles Access Road).
There is a good, updated diagram at http://mwaa.com/_/file/_/northroads2008.pdf
Dec 22, 2007 | 6:07 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
There is a good, updated diagram at http://mwaa.com/_/file/_/northroads2008.pdf
Dec 29, 2007 | 1:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
As of a few days ago, they have finished the major work on the roadways coming INTO the airport, so watch the new overhead signs. The really good news is that the drastically reduced speed limits during construction have been returned to normal - but do note the speed limits as the police are often seen with radar enforcement.
Dec 29, 2007 | 9:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: DCA/IAD
Posts: 835