D.C. is no stranger to motorcycle events. Every year, motorcyclists ride through the city during Rolling Thunder events to honor Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. (AP)
WASHINGTON - Plan ahead. Friday afternoon's commute could be a long and complicated one.
More than 2,500 motorcyclists plan to honor the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with a motorcycle ride through the area.
The America's 911 Foundation will honor the victims of the attacks with a ride through six states and D.C.
The bikers will move through the D.C. region from Hagerstown, Md. to the Pentagon, traveling along many of the major roads and highways that get you home, including Interstate 70, Route 15, the Dulles Greenway, the Dulles Toll Road, Interstate 66 and Route 110.
The entire group is expected to stretch up to 15 miles.
The ride will cause traffic problems as it moves through its course. Multiple police and traffic enforcement officials will be along the route to help guide traffic, but you should expect delays.
Below is a breakdown of what to expect and when.
Hagerstown
The ride will begin to enter the area around 1 p.m. Friday, traveling east on Interstate 70 toward Frederick. The ride will then head southbound on U.S. Route 15 in the Point of Rocks area, heading toward Leesburg, Va.
The Maryland State Highway administration will temporarily close the ramp from westbound I-70 onto southbound U.S. 15/U.S. 340 to allow the group access to U.S. Route 15.
Leesburg
The riders are expected to enter Loudoun County around 2 p.m. Friday. They will travel Route 15 Business into Leesburg and continue southbound through downtown.
As the bikes move through the area, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police will stop traffic at intersections on Route 15 from the Maryland line to the Leesburg town line.
Traffic on the east side of Route 15 will be able to travel north.
Dulles Greenway
The ride will continue eastbound onto the Route 15/7 Bypass to the Dulles Greenway. Once on the Greenway, riders will stay in the far left lane until they reach the Greenway Toll Plaza.
Traffic will not be allowed to access the Dulles Greenway from the Route 15/7 Bypass. Traffic will be able move via the far right lane on the Greenway.
Dulles Toll Road
Riders will move through the toll plaza onto the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267) late Friday afternoon, using the far left eastbound lane.
Police also will control the intersections on the Dulles Toll Road and Dulles Access Road.
People heading to Dulles International Airport late Friday afternoon should expect heavy delays and plan accordingly in order to arrive on time for flights.
Interstate 66
The riders will proceed on eastbound Interstate 66, which will be closed to traffic from the Capital Beltway to Route 110 southbound. No traffic will be allowed to access the on-ramps to eastbound I-66 between Fairfax and Arlington Counties.
Heavy traffic congestion is expected on westbound I-66 and the Capital Beltway while the procession moves through.
Eastbound I-66 is expected to reopen around 4 p.m. Friday.
Route 110 and Arlington County Closures
Riders will travel on southbound Route 110, finishing their ride in Crystal City.
Following the ride, there will be an event at 300 Army Navy Drive, which will close the road between S. 12th Street and S. Fern Street from 9:30 a.m. to midnight.
ap
Virginia State Police have posted a map of the route riders will take Friday afternoon.
Stay informed of all the closures related to the ride by listening to traffic every 10 minutes on the 8s on 103.5 FM and you can follow WTOP Traffic and WTOP on Twitter. WTOP's Custom Commute cameras can help you navigate your commute.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2499718
