Changes

A '''beltway''' is a [[highway]] that encircles an [[urban]] area so that [[traffic]] does not have to go through that urban area.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beltway "Beltway," from Dictionary.com]</ref>

A '''beltway''' is a [[highway]] that encircles an [[urban]] area so that [[traffic]] does not have to go through that urban area.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/beltway "Beltway," from Dictionary.com]</ref>

"The Beltway" as a proper noun typically refers to I-495, properly called "The Capital Beltway," the eastern half of which is also designated I-95. The Capital Beltway is a 6 to 8 lane highway which surrounds [[Washington DC]]. It loops through [[Suburb]]an [[Maryland]] and Northern [[Virginia]] around the District of Columbia. The Beltway crosses the [[Potomac]] River at two points, by way of the American Legion Bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. <ref>[http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Woodrow_Wilson_Bridge.html "Woodrow Wilson Bridge," from Roads to the Future]</ref>) Both the [[American Legion Bridge]] and the [[Woodrow Wilson Bridge]] are choke-points for area traffic. <ref>http://www.traffic.com/Washington-DC-Traffic/I-495_Capital_Beltway-1.html</ref>

"The Beltway" as a proper noun typically refers to I-495, properly called "The Capital Beltway," the eastern half of which is also designated I-95. The Capital Beltway is a 6 to 8 lane highway which surrounds [[Washington DC]]. It loops through [[Suburb]]an [[Maryland]] and Northern [[Virginia]] (and for a very short distance over the waters of the District of Columbia<ref>[http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Woodrow_Wilson_Bridge.html "Woodrow Wilson Bridge," from Roads to the Future]</ref>), crossing the [[Potomac River]] in two different locations.  The [[American Legion Bridge]] and the [[Woodrow Wilson Bridge]] are choke-points for area traffic. <ref>http://www.traffic.com/Washington-DC-Traffic/I-495_Capital_Beltway-1.html</ref>

Because the Beltway is a closed loop, the usual directional terminology used on other highways is ineffective in describing I-495. Thus, rather than traveling on North I-495 or East I-495, the two directions on the Beltway are called the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop".  Travelers on the Inner Loop of the Beltway move in a "clockwise" direction, while Outer Loop travelers travel the opposite direction.

Because the Beltway is a closed loop, the usual directional terminology used on other highways is ineffective in describing I-495. Thus, rather than traveling on North I-495 or East I-495, the two directions on the Beltway are called the "Inner Loop" and the "Outer Loop".  Travelers on the Inner Loop of the Beltway move in a "clockwise" direction, while Outer Loop travelers travel the opposite direction.