Evening commute uncrowded, but still tricky
Light traffic is both a blessing and a curse for those who were not granted a snow day.
Driving conditions change rapidly
As snow and wind intensify and temperature drops, safety can vary from block to block and lane to lane.
2011 storm taught lesson about fighting Mother Nature
Government decision makers, highway departments became more aggressive in telling commuters to stay home.
D.C. area planners adopt transportation priorities that focus on fixing what’s broken
Region’s planners urge governments to think regionally and maintain the network we already have.
Planners approve transportation priorities for D.C. region
Priorities focus on maintaining road and transit system we have, a concept in accord with public surveys.
Many transportation projects vie for travelers’ attention in congested Washington region
It’s not all about mega-projects. Travel of all types will be affected by these projects and programs.
Dr. Gridlock
The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock, Robert Thomson, will be online to take all your questions about Metro, traffic throughout the region and other transportation issues.
Express Lanes driving, tolls, continued to rise in late 2013
The lane operator’s report for the October-December quarter showed use up, despite federal shutdown.
Metro’s service plan for MLK weekend
The transit authority plans major track work on the Red and Green lines during the holiday weekend, but the resulting disruptions will end Sunday night.
New Metrorail design raises some old issues
The new 7000 series cars keep open spaces while adding supports for riders.
Dr. Gridlock
The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock, Robert Thomson, will be online to take all your questions about Metro, traffic throughout the region and other transportation issues.
Metro plans fewer weekends with major track work for first half of 2014
The intensive rebuilding continues into 2017, but riders should notice a change of pace this year.
Virginia transportation projects to watch in 2014
While nothing beats the Silver Line as a top transportation story for 2014, Virginia travelers will encounter many other high-impact projects this year.
Metro working on all five lines this weekend
All stations will be open, but there will be longer gaps than normal between trains.
Metrorail plans busy weekend of track work
All stations remain open, but gaps between trains will be greater than normal.
Metro sets dates for hearings on fare increases
Six hearings on fare and fee increases are scheduled for late January and early February.
D.C. transportation projects to watch in 2014
Rebuilding rail and auto bridges and a new pedestrian/bike link to a Metro station are among the projects advancing in 2014.
Metrorail line isn’t the best way to solve I-95 congestion in D.C.’s outer suburbs
I-95 is always being rebuilt to add capacity, but a new Metrorail line isn’t a practical investment.
Metro unveils six-month plan for major weekend work
This schedule shows the schedule for major track work, the kind that closes stations.
Robert Thomson is The Washington Post’s “Dr. Gridlock.” He answers travelers’ questions, listens to their complaints and shares their pain on the roads, trains and buses in the Washington region. In addition to his twice-weekly newspaper column, he writes for a daily blog on The Post’s Web site, engages readers in online chats and presents features about transportation issues on The Post’s Sunday commuter page.
Thomson has been a reporter and editor for 30 years in New York and Washington. He joined The Post in 1988 and worked on the D.C., Maryland and Virginia desks. In 1999, he became The Post’s transportation editor. When Ron Shaffer, founder of “Dr. Gridlock,” retired from The Post in 2006, Thomson took over the column. He enjoys getting out of the office, even to drive at rush hour.