For those of you headed out of town for the weekend, take note if you plan to drive out the city over the Francis Case Memorial Bridge after 9 p.m. tonight. Just got this from DDOT:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to install a new overhead sign on Interstate 395, at the Francis Case Memorial Bridge, on Friday, September 19, 2008. All of the work will be conducted overnight, between 9pm and 4am, and will require the closing of the northbound lanes. There may also be limited lane closures in the southbound lanes to ensure the safety of motorists and workers.

A detour plan has been created to help motorists get around these closures. The detours are:

Northbound: take 14th Street to Independence Avenue, make a right turn and then another right on 9th St. to access the 9th St. Tunnel and get back on the interstate.

Southbound: take Exit 4 to Maine Avenue, make a right turn and follow the signs for southbound I-395.

Motorists are encouraged to stay alert and use caution while traveling through the work zone. DDOT’s Roadway Operations Unit will assist in maintaining the safe flow of traffic in the area.

The sign installation is part of an ongoing 18-month project to improve the signage along I-395. The project is expected to be completed over the next four weeks.

Photo by AlbinoFlea