things you learn in the elevator

This morning I had the pleasure of sharing an elevator with a woman who works for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. She was heading to the much-anticipated dedication of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which spans the Potomac River for the Washington beltway, on the southern edge of DC (actually connecting Maryland and Virginia). For those of you unfamiliar with the nightmarish DC commute, the old WW Bridge was generally avoided by most commuters at all costs. 45 minute backups were not uncommon... in fact, that kind of delay was quickly becoming a normal daily occurence. 6 years after the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project began, they've finished the first span, and traffic will begin crossing the new bridge next month. So, what did I learn in the elevator? That the first car to cross the new span will be Woodrow Wilson's 1923 Rolls-Royce and that the mayor of DC, the Governors of Md and Virginia, and Transportation Secretary Norman Minetta will be riding in it. Here's a pic from The Washington Post: DC's commuters are surely rejoicing. Next month can't come around fast enough.