Getting Around Washington D.C.

     Pierre-Charles L'Enfant's plan for the capital did not take into account the demands of modern traffic. Although streets are laid out in a basic grid pattern divided into four quadrants, there are several confusing traffic circles and a number of one-way streets. An easy-to-read street map will come in handy for those unfamiliar with the city.
     In the central part of the District, streets running north-south are numbered; those running east-west are designated by letters (with the exception of J, X, Y and Z). This general pattern is crisscrossed in both directions by diagonal avenues named after states. Where avenues intersect there are traffic circles and rectangular parks or squares.
     North, East and South Capitol streets and the National Mall divide the diamond-shaped District of Columbia into quadrants; the Capitol is the central starting point for the street numbering system. The quadrant initials--N.W., N.E., S.W. and S.E.--are an integral part of any Washington address; they determine which of four possible locations is correct.
     Southwest is by far the smallest quadrant, encompassing a few government buildings, the Tidal Basin, the Maine Avenue waterfront along the Washington Channel and Fort Lesley J. McNair, intended by L'Enfant to be the capital's chief fortification and a major 19th-century U.S. weapons arsenal. Also within Southwest is L'Enfant Plaza, bounded by D Street, the 12th Street Expressway ramp, the 9th Street Expressway and the Southwest Freeway. This example of late 1960s urban planning--a brick-paved concourse lined with office buildings that runs for a couple of blocks off Independence Avenue-- is named for the man who drafted the city's blueprint.
     Most of Washington's tourist attractions and its wealthiest neighborhoods are concentrated in the northwest quadrant, along with American, Georgetown, George Washington and Howard universities, the University of the District of Columbia, Rock Creek Park and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Most of Northeast and Southeast are residential, as is the upper part of Northwest.
     North of W Street, east-west streets are assigned two-syllable alphabetical names (Belmont, Quincy, Randolph), then three-syllable names (Buchanan, Hamilton, Underwood). Above Whittier Street in upper Northwest, alphabetical names shift to trees and plants with two- (Aspen), three- (Butternut) or four-syllable (Geranium) names. At this point the District ends and Maryland begins, which no doubt delighted planners.
     Some illogical aspects of the city street system confuse even residents. Pennsylvania Avenue, for example, enters southeast Washington from suburban Maryland; is interrupted at Independence Avenue S.E. by the Capitol grounds; picks up again at 1st Street N.W.; is interrupted at 15th Street by the Ellipse; picks up again around the corner at the intersection of 15th Street and New York Avenue N.W.; and continues west past the White House into Georgetown, where it turns into M Street.
     Traveling east of the Capitol on Pennsylvania can be equally confusing; once you cross 15th Street, you are on New York Avenue. And 17th Street N.W. heads north from Constitution Avenue only as far as K Street, where it then links with Connecticut Avenue.
     Adding to the frustration level of drivers was the closing in 1995 of Pennsylvania Avenue to automobile traffic in front of the White House. Done for security reasons, it nevertheless created some initial havoc for the thousands of downtown workers and tourists who had daily negotiated the 2-block stretch between 15th and 17th streets N.W. Traffic engineers responded by redirecting traffic on nearby streets and installing new signals, signs and pavement markings, while inline skaters, bicyclists and strollers savored the newfound peace and quiet and the refreshing lack of exhaust fumes.
     The speed limit is 25 mph or as posted; on major arteries it is usually 30 mph. A right turn on a red light is permitted unless otherwise posted. High-beam headlights are prohibited at all times.
     Business areas, particularly in the downtown core, are congested throughout the day. Avoid rush hours if at all possible. If you are spending the day sightseeing but are staying in nearby Maryland or Virginia--and driving a car--leave in plenty of time to avoid the outbound exodus of city workers. The backup on I-395 southbound begins early (particularly on Fridays and the beginning of holiday weekends), and traffic soon slows to a painful crawl.
     Also remember that carpooling regulations (HOV) govern the number of people in vehicles that use certain heavily traveled highways, such as I-66 and I-395 inside the Beltway. Signs denote designated HOV lanes; the restrictions apply during both morning (6:30 to 9 a.m.) and evening (4 to 6:30 p.m.) rush-hour periods.