Metro construction/partial shutdown leads to near gridlock

The 6th of June was the first day of Metro's emergency "Safe Track" repair program. Construction is being done in a staged manner and started with only delays and not the coming closures. This still put enough extra cars on the road to put some intersections dangerously close to literal gridlock, as some drivers got caught in the intersections as lights changed. Drivers are told to never, ever enter the intersection until there is room to get back out of it, but will disregard this if they fear turning cars will otherwise take the space. If adjacent intersections get blocked this way, the result can be a spreading nightmare of traffic that cannot escape until the gridlock is taken apart from the outside in.

If you normally ride Metro, DO NOT DRIVE into the center of the city or on roads paralleling Metro lines if you have any other option! Even biking will be faster in rush hour. Metro is not an option when shut down or subject to long delays, and busses will get caught in this traffic and also be very slow. Driving adds to the problem and risks literal in-car-ceration in traffic jams. At least passengers on a bus trapped in traffic have the option of getting out and walking when that is faster.

Video showing drivers blocking the box during severe traffic on 16th st about 5:30PM June 6, 2016