Stretch of DC beltway known as 'The Roller Coaster' scene of many accidents

WASHINGTON - Last Friday, a section of Interstate 495 between Wisconsin Avenue and Connecticut Avenue was shut down due to a deadly accident involving a tractor trailer.

That area of the beltway - usually placed on the section of highway between Old Georgetown Road and Georgia Avenue - is commonly referred to as 'The Roller Coaster' due to its sharp twists and turns.

The stretch of road is known for traffic accident and bottlenecks even when no accidents have been reported.

Thomas Calcagni, director of public and government affairs with AAA Mid-Atlantic, says that recommendations to improve the roadway have been made since the 1990s, however, funding has not been available.

Calcagni say he believes driver education - especially regarding sharing the road with large trucks - may better improve safety.