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A guide to fun things to do in D.C. this weekend.

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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Washington, DC. Written by Anna Spiegel and Cuneyt Dil.

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Where D.C. residents would move to if they left the DMV

Our survey is hardly scientific, but it happens to track with recent migration trends.

News

Buying electric bikes just got more affordable in D.C.

Lower-income riders could get up to $1,500 for a standard e-bike, plus money off maintenance, bike locks and more.

When to expect peak fall foliage in D.C.

Your window to view the bright hues might be trickier to predict, as climate change impacts when leaves change.

Small town fall festivals worth the trek from D.C.

If you're going overnight, book yesterday.

Things to Do

New GW Parkway closures to start this weekend

Three ramps off GW Parkway to/from Route 123 will be under construction for a staggered period until late November.

Traffic delays are expected to increase on the George Washington Memorial Parkway starting Saturday with a months-long series of ramp closures at Route 123.Why it matters: The Virginia roadway, considered the gateway to Washington, is a heavily traveled route for D.C.-area commuters — and traffic is already disrupted by lane closures and speed reductions for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a massive, years-long rehabilitation project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/24/george-washington-parkway-repairs-cut-traffic-lanes-2025" data-vars-content-id="f9ceddf8-7e98-47c4-9850-9ee6994a4fd3" data-vars-headline="New GW Parkway closures to start this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/01/24/george-washington-parkway-repairs-cut-traffic-lanes-2025" target="_self">a massive, years-long rehabilitation project</a>.

Metro is mapping out its future with new stations and signs

The Metro board is expected to make a decision on a future expansion later this year.

The Metro of the future is being conceived now — with visions for new Metro stations, new signs for train and bus lines, and plans to solve the Rosslyn tunnel bottleneck all underway.Why it matters: Even with Metro&#x27;s current <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenging finances" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" data-vars-content-id="348ceaed-aa48-4fed-a044-ad95008ee21a" data-vars-headline="Metro is mapping out its future with new stations and signs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" target="_self">challenging finances</a>, the agency needs to plan ahead for a region that is projected to grow in population.

A map showing the new Blue Line loop envisioned 

D.C. students can pick up new free SmarTrip cards at school

D.C. has a Kids Ride Free program for Metrorail, Metrobus, and the D.C. Circulator.

D.C. is reminding families to pick up free SmarTrips for the new school year.Why it matters: D.C. has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kids Ride Free program" data-vars-click-url="https://ddot.dc.gov/page/kids-ride-free-program" data-vars-content-id="7e8c52d0-e2be-4acd-9fd8-dc3ef79532e9" data-vars-headline="D.C. students can pick up new free SmarTrip cards at school" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ddot.dc.gov/page/kids-ride-free-program" target="_blank">Kids Ride Free program</a> for Metrorail, Metrobus, and the D.C. Circulator.

A commuter buys a metro card at the Metro Center station in Washington, D.C.

Metrobus tests out new time-saving tactics

New traffic enforcement and all-door boarding aims to speed up service.

D.C. hopes to speed up Metrobus service by new traffic enforcement and all-door boarding, ahead of overnight service beginning next year on popular routes.Why it matters: Metro <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://wtop.com/local/2023/04/metro-looks-to-keep-dcs-bus-lanes-clear-with-cameras-fines/" data-vars-content-id="cd510ee8-1da7-409c-891e-728fb4759fea" data-vars-headline="Metrobus tests out new time-saving tactics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wtop.com/local/2023/04/metro-looks-to-keep-dcs-bus-lanes-clear-with-cameras-fines/" target="_blank">estimates</a> that its buses travel 10 mph on average — and as brutal as that sounds, it&#x27;s even worse on the most popular routes.

George Washington Parkway closures could last days after severe storms

Crews are working to clear fallen trees and limbs from roadways after violent storms whipped through the area on Saturday.

Significant closures along the George Washington Memorial Parkway are expected to last days as cleanup crews clear debris from Saturday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="violent storms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/31/power-outages-dc-storm" data-vars-content-id="5f0c1aff-19b1-435e-8398-1fd300f43bfa" data-vars-headline="George Washington Parkway closures could last days after severe storms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/07/31/power-outages-dc-storm" target="_self">violent storms</a>.Why it matters: The Virginia roadway, considered the gateway to Washington, is a heavily traveled route for D.C.-area commuters, with about 26 million drivers a year — so no, rush hour isn&#x27;t looking pretty.

Pedestrians win battle over Cleveland Park service lane

The space will be used for pop-ups, restaurant patios, and other community activities.

The service lane along the Cleveland Park corridor will remain closed to cars for the foreseeable future in the latest win for pedestrians over the future of D.C. streets.Why it matters: Banning cars on this iconic commercial strip has created tension between pedestrians who want more legroom and businesses that want customer parking.

The renovated Cleveland Park service lane, with a "detour" sign and construction barricades 

D.C. transportation budget adds overnight buses, delays K Street redo

Next fiscal year’s transportation budget will include some immediate changes.

Transit

The District is funding overnight Metrobus service, replacing an H Street NE bridge that’s key for Union Station’s future, and delaying a contentious remake of K Street downtown.Why it matters: Next fiscal year’s transportation budget will include some immediate changes — and longterm planning for major projects.

K Street traffic shows cars in congestion

Metro station closures Virginia commuters should know about

Several Orange and Silver line stations will use shuttle buses in June.

Virginia commuters take heed: Orange Line stations from Vienna to East Falls Church will be closed from June 3 to 25 for repairs.A free shuttle bus will operate between Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church, and Ballston-MU.

New Metro station opens at Potomac Yard in Alexandria

The city has been pushing for a station since 2008.

A new Metro station, Potomac Yard—VT, opens today in Alexandria as part of the city’s effort to spur economic development in an area that’ll soon be a neighbor of Amazon’s HQ2.Why it matters: The station will bring riders directly to an area with mixed-use developments, including a new university campus.

How I wake up: Randy Clarke

Clarke is the high-powered head of the D.C. Metro.

Randy Clarke is the high-powered head of Metro, tasked with rebuilding transit ridership and battling a $185 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget gap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/12/06/dc-metro-budget-proposal-2024" data-vars-content-id="4ff2772e-5051-45b9-ae8b-aa37eb877b9e" data-vars-headline="How I wake up: Randy Clarke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/12/06/dc-metro-budget-proposal-2024" target="_self">budget gap</a>.<ul><li>Clarke moved from Austin to D.C. last July to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Metro general manager and CEO" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/11/02/dc-first-100-days-new-metro-ceo-randy-clarke" data-vars-content-id="4ff2772e-5051-45b9-ae8b-aa37eb877b9e" data-vars-headline="How I wake up: Randy Clarke" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/11/02/dc-first-100-days-new-metro-ceo-randy-clarke" target="_self">Metro general manager and CEO</a>.</li></ul>We recently caught up with him on how he spends his Washington mornings.

Photo illustration collage of Randy Clark inside a red alarm clock.

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