BELTWAY BONEHEADS

Maryland Gov. Robert L Ehrlich Jr. announced today that the intercounty connector, an east-west suburban highway more than 50 years in the making, has gained final approval from the federal government and that construction will begin this fall. -- By Steven Ginsberg, May 31, 2006;
Washington Post

It goes against everything travel experts tell drivers -- leave early, stay late, avoid rush hour at all costs -- but the best time to leave town to avoid traffic on this and every other weekend of summer fun may just be 5 p.m. Friday. Enough people heed the advice about getaway days that drivers are just as likely to hit a lengthy backup in the morning or early afternoon as they are during the regular Friday rush, traffic experts say. -- By Steven Ginsberg, May 26, 2006; Washington Post

Leaders of the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine have agreed that the legislature should keep working on a plan to ease traffic congestion even after resolving the stalemate over the state budget. -- By Rosalind Helderman, May 25, 2006; Washington Post

Some commuters may have been surprised by the work that started on Connecticut Avenue in the District last week. Two lanes of Connecticut have been eliminated, just before the road goes beneath Dupont Circle. That means traffic backups are even more likely during rush hour. -- By Mitchell Miller, May 24, 2006; WTOP Radio

When Hurricane Katrina hit last year, the average gas price in the Washington region stayed above $3 for 18 days. When Hurricane Rita came ashore soon after, gas prices again hovered above $3 for another 18 days. On Tuesday, despite a one-cent dip during the last two weeks, the region saw average gas prices above $3 for the 32nd consecutive day. -- By Mike Rupert, May 24, 2006; The Examiner