Convoy news for Friday, March 18, 2022, for DC

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Police Blocks Trucker Convoy's Route Into D.C., Tangling Interstate Traffic

MAR 18, 6:43 PM

Police Blocks Trucker Convoy’s Route Into D.C., Tangling Interstate Traffic

Héctor Alejandro Arzate



he “People’s Convoy” makes its way around the I-495 Beltway in early March.

Tyrone Turner / DCist/WAMU

Interstates around D.C. were at nearly a standstill on Friday afternoon, as police responded to a convoy of truckers headed into the District.

The Metropolitan Police Department closed roads throughout the afternoon to try to contain the convoy, which has been headquartered at the Hagerstown Speedway for nearly two weeks and cruising around the District to protest pandemic restrictions. By 4:30 p.m., MPD tweeted that all road closures had been lifted.

Link to tweet

An MPD spokesperson told DCist/WAMU that there are no significant delays anticipated for the rest of the evening.

Throughout the afternoon, transit authorities and commuters across the region were reporting convoy-related delays on I-395, I-695, and I-295. The Virginia Department of Transportation told the Washington Post that delays stretched for a mile into Arlington. At one point, the convoy appeared to splinter into two groups, causing additional delays.

Though police have been blocking highways to keep trucks off District streets, some trucks in the convoy were spotted downtown and near the National Mall.

At least 10 Big Rigs in the People's Convoy are driving downtown near Chinatown/Penn Quarter/Mt. Vernon Triangle.

@DCPoliceDept
appears to be driving near the group.

Link to tweet

The smaller People's Trucker Convoy with 10 or so big rigs just drove past Clyde's in Gallery Place.

For context: The convoy is less than 1 mile away from the White House and about a mile away from Capitol Hill. #TruckersForFreedom2022

Link to tweet

The Truckers are still being heckled by bikers. #TruckersConvoy2022

Link to tweet

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