WASHINGTON — On Friday afternoon, the Washington Nationals face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a playoff game at Nationals Park, and federal workers will be released early and getting a start on the holiday weekend. The combination means commuters should plan ahead.
“That overlap is going to happen temporally and also spatially on the freeway, on South Capitol Street, on 295,” said Dave Dildine, of WTOP Traffic.
Rush hour could start as early as 1 p.m., he said.
“There’s likely going to be worse traffic downtown. It’s still a question how bad it’s going to be,” Dildine said.
“People should definitely have a plan,” said Valerie Camillo, chief revenue and marketing officer with the Nationals.
The team is running a promotion to encourage fans to get to the park by 3 p.m., when the gates open.
“We’re doing a 20 percent discount for the first hour after gates are open and a 20 percent discount on Nationals merchandise in the center field plaza,” she said.
Bus: DC Circulator
D.C.’s Department of Transportation suggests fans use the DC Circulator Bus to the Ballpark, which will offer special service on both Friday and Saturday on the Union Station-Navy Yard route and is an alternative to using Metro’s Green Line.
For Game 1 on Friday, the special service for that route starts 6 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m.
For Game 2 on Saturday, service starts noon and ends at 10 p.m.
Parking
The Nationals have set up a website for fans to consider using other options to get to the park for the 5:38 p.m. first pitch.
See more information on Nationals parking lots and parking options near the park.
If you’re using your own bike, there are plenty of bike racks around the ballpark — more than 250 bike racks — and even a free bike valet service.
Capital Bikeshare
Capital Bikeshare is also an option for fans. Capital Bikeshare Corral Service will be available for all home playoff games at the 1st Street & N Street Southeast station. The service will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday and will conclude 30 minutes after the game is over.
Find the nearest Capital Bikeshare stations to the stadium below:
- 1st and N streets Southeast
- 1st and K streets Southeast
- M Street and New Jersey Avenue Southeast
- 3rd and Tingey streets Southeast
The post Nats’ playoffs: Plan ahead for Friday’s afternoon commute appeared first on WTOP.
