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Weekend Wakeup: Bridge work, single tracking and cold temps

By WTOP Staff

Dave Dildine, wtop.com

A road project in Arlington shifts into high gear this weekend. VDOT says the westbound side of Route 50, also known as Arlington Boulevard, will be blocked this weekend near Courthouse Road.

Crews will demolish the Courthouse Road bridge that spans the westbound lanes. The eastbound ramp to Courthouse Road will also be closed. The project aims to improve the efficiency of the interchanges that connect 10th Street and Courthouse Road to Route 50.

The construction closures will begin around 8 a.m. Saturday. Westbound traffic will be diverted onto 14th Street. The official detour attempts to deflect traffic away from the neighborhoods between Arlington Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard using 14th Street, 15th Street, Wilson Boulevard, Barton Street and 10th Street. Follow the orange detour signs. The demolition is expected to be completed by late Sunday and the road should reopen by 8 p.m.

During construction of the new interchange, eastbound motorists on Route 50 will not be able to access Courthouse Road. The outdated left exit will be permanently closed. Instead, drivers will need to use the next exit, a right off-ramp, marked “N Rhodes St/N Rolfe St/N Queen St” until the new interchange opens.

VDOT urges outbound drivers leaving Washington to avoid Route 50. Variable message signs near the project area have been warning motorists of the closure for several weeks. Consider using Route 29 or Interstate 66 instead.

Detour Map


View Route 50 Detour in a larger map

Rail work zones return

WMATA will resume track work on the Metrorail system beginning Friday night. The system was put to the test last Monday, offering 17 hours of consecutive rush hour service for the presidential inauguration. The work will affect passengers on the Red, Orange and Green lines through Sunday.

Red Line
Trains will single track between Farragut North and Judiciary Square. Customers should expect about a 10-minute delay. The work zone will be in place from 10 p.m. Friday until noon on Sunday.

Orange Line
Trains will single track between East Falls Church and West Falls Church. Trains will also single track between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly. Customers should expect about a 20-minute delay. The work zone will be in place from 10 p.m. Friday until closing-time late Sunday.

Green Line
Trains will single track between College Park and Greenbelt. Customers traveling through the work zone should expect about a 10-minute delay.

A slow thawing out…

The region’s bout with below-normal temperatures continues this weekend but the WTOP Weather Team says that temperatures may crack the freezing mark on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday’s coating of light snow may create isolated slick spots on small roads and neighborhood streets as long as temperatures remain below freezing. Drivers should use caution when driving on untreated road surfaces and remain alert for black ice.

With more cold weather to come, this weekend is a good time to make sure your battery is winter-ready and able to carry a reliable charge. The colder temperatures can also lower your tire pressure, greatly reducing the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Top off your windshield washer fluid and clean your windshield to make sure the de-icing agents leftover from Friday’s light snowfall don’t obscure your view.

Localized delays near weekend events

The “March on Washington for Gun Control” will take place on the National Mall Saturday morning. The march begins near the Capitol Reflecting Pool around 11 a.m. and will progress down Constitution Avenue, ending near 15th Street NW. Police will be on-scene helping to direct traffic.

The Polar Bear Plunge will take place on Saturday at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland. The ramps from Route 50 toward the parking lots may become congested by late morning but the impact on through traffic between the Bay Bridge and Annapolis should be minimal.

The Washington Capitals take on the Buffalo Sabres at the Verizon Center on Sunday at 3 p.m. Expect a surge of Caps fans at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro and along the nearby streets before and after the game.

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(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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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