Crowds are expected to flood the District this weekend with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Smithsonian Kite Festival, the National Marathon and Nationals Opening Day all scheduled to take place over the two-day span.

Although officials say they are prepared to accommodate the swarms via the heavily publicized expanded Metro service, they acknowledge it's going to be a challenge.

"We're asking people if they don't need to drive, please don't and take the Metro," said Karyn Le Blanc, spokeswoman for the District's Department of Transportation.

Traffic congestion in the city on one of its busiest weekends will only be worsened by the National Marathon, which will close down roads in the core of the city on a rolling basis. Cars and buses will be redirected until the early afternoon, when the marathon ends.

"Our focus is on getting people in and around the city safely so they can get to their destinations quickly and effectively," Le Blanc said.

Metro trains starting at 5 a.m. Saturday in preparation for the marathon, extra trains heading to Nationals Park before and after games and a reserve of extra trains to increase any line's service if necessary are just a few of the preparations Metro has planned to accommodate the busy weekend, Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel said.

"We're no stranger to the events that happen in the D.C. area," Taubenkibel said. "We did this last year when there was the Cherry Blossom Festival and the opening day at RFK," he said, adding these events have previously broken Metro use records.

This year, Taubenkibel predicts smoother rides as a result of 48 new railcars and the use of only six- and eight-car trains.

For visitors who cannot take the Metro, Cherry Blossom Festival staff suggest parking at Hains Point in East Potomac Park and taking a free Tourmobile shuttle to the Jefferson Memorial, where many of the activities take place.

-examiner

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