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two terms for the same thing; also, expanded
{{merge from|Orbital Motorway}}
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]] (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>
"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. For a few miles on either side of the Wilson Bridge, each of the loops splits into local and express roadways, for a total of four roadways called (from north to south) Inner Loop — Local, Inner Loop — Express, Outer Loop — Express, and Outer Loop — Local.
The Beltway is an extremely busy roadway, used by tourists, commuters and interstate travelers. During rush hour it is not uncommon for the Beltway to slow to thirty miles per hour or less due to the factors such as traffic volume, accidents or weather related delays. Indeed, it is the third most congested freeway in the United States.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012001265.html GPS study ranks Capital Beltway third worst for freeway congestion], ''[[The Washington Post]],'' January 21, 2010</ref>
The Beltway is an extremely busy roadway, used by tourists, commuters and interstate travelers. During rush hour it is not uncommon for the Beltway to slow to thirty miles per hour or less due to the factors such as traffic volume, accidents or weather related delays. Indeed, it is the third most congested freeway in the United States.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/20/AR2010012001265.html GPS study ranks Capital Beltway third worst for freeway congestion], ''[[The Washington Post]],'' January 21, 2010</ref>