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I-395 named most congested section of D.C. traffic

By WTOP Staff

Adam Tuss, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – It’s not your imagination, traffic congestion really is getting worse in the D.C. area.

A new survey by the region’s Transportation Planning Board confirms what local commuters are well aware of: it’s a tough ride on our roads.

The slowest stretch for commuters right now according to the 2011 Aerial Traffic Congestion Survey is Northbound I-395 between Washington Boulevard and Route 110, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The average speed along that stretch during that time is five miles per hour.

Also on the list:

  • 2. (tie) Inner Loop I-495 (from Va. 193/Georgetown Pike to George Washington Memorial Parkway) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., average speed is 5-10 miles per hour
  • 2. (tie) Southbound I-395/Southwest Freeway (from 4th Street to 12th Street) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., average speed is 5-10 miles per hour
  • 4. Eastbound I-66 (from Va. 7/Leesburg Pike to Dulles Access Road) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., average speed is 7-10 miles per hour
  • 5. (tie) Inner Loop I-495 (from Md. 355/I-270 to Md. 185/Connecticut Avenue) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., average speed is 10-15 miles per hour
  • 5. (tie) Outer Loop I-495 (from Va. 267/Dulles Toll Road to Va. 123/Chain Bridge Road) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., average speed is 10-15 miles per hour

“Congestion is worsening because the economy has improved since the last survey (in 2008),” says Ron Kirby, Director of Transportation Planning at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, in a news release.

“Depending on which part you focus on, there’s good news and there’s bad news,” Kirby says.

While overall congestion is up in recent years, there are some success stories. The report says congestion has actually improved around the Wilson Bridge on the Inner Loop during the morning rush.

According to the report:

What was previously a location of hours-long congestion during the morning peak on the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway (I-95) from St. Barnabas Road in Prince George’s County to Telegraph Road in Alexandria has been completely eliminated.

The report also says congestion in the areas has vastly improved: Eastbound Dulles Toll Road (Va. Route 267) between Centreville Road and Hunter Mill Road in Fairfax County, Southbound Md. Route 295/I-295 approaching and beyond the U.S. Route 50 interchange, and Westbound and Southbound Southwest Freeway/I-395 across D.C.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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