Updated: Potomac Avenue Opens to Traffic

3:45 p.m. update — The Arlandrian provides a tour of Potomac Avenue.

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3:25 p.m. update — The City of Alexandria released the following statement in regards to the opening of Potomac Avenue:

"The City of Alexandria reminds residents Potomac Avenue is currently open to traffic. This roadway runs from the Monroe Avenue Bridge, across Four Mile Run and into Arlington County, parallel to Route 1.
 
"Potomac Avenue is a public road, which was constructed as part of the Potomac Yard development project. It runs approximately 1.4 miles."

The release mentions an adjacent shared-use trail to Potomac Avenue that is also open.

The speed limit on Potomac Avenue is posted at 25 mph and is currently being enforced by Alexandria Police.

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Potomac Avenue, the new road that runs parallel to Jefferson Davis Highway from the Monroe Avenue Bridge to Crystal City, opened Tuesday.

Del Ray residents can take Monroe Avenue to the Potomac Avenue intersection, hang a right and drive, bike or walk to the in the Potomac Yard Center as well as the S. Glebe Road Harris Teeter without having to take U.S. Route 1.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Luke Rowand, a sales consultant with Pulte Homes, which is currently building residences on the south end of Potomac Yard.

A message left with Alexandria's Department Transportation and Environmental Services was not immediately returned.

Currently, there are stoplights setup for extensions of E. Howell Avenue, E. Custis Avenue, Swann Avenue and E. Glebe Road. On Tuesday, Swann Avenue was the only east-west street open to traffic.

Along with improved access to Crystal City and Potomac Yard Center (including ), the opening of Potomac Avnue provides a better view of Pulte’s construction work as well as to the .

Will you use Potomac Avenue to avoid Route 1 traffic? Do you think it will improve congestion during morning rush hour along Route 1? Tell us in comments.