Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Washington prepares for the 57th Presidential Inauguration


(Washington, DC) Today, the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee announced the Joint Transportation Plan for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. Events and activities celebrating the Inauguration, a designated National Special Security Event, will take place on Sunday, January 20 and Monday, January 21, 2013.

This transportation plan provides the general outlines for vehicular restricted zones, road closures, charter vehicles, public transportation and pedestrian routes. Additional information is available online for residents of the District, Virginia and Maryland, as well as for charter operators, through the websites listed at the end of this plan. Additions to this plan may be made prior to the Inaugural and will be updated on these websites. Specific questions regarding this transportation plan should be directed to the participating agencies as identified.

Security and transportation plans for the Inaugural have been developed by a partnership of local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies, including the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Virginia State Police, the Maryland Department of Transportation, the United States Secret Service, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the United States Capitol Police and the United States Park Police.

Access into Washington, DC, will be limited on Monday, January 21, 2013. The following is a summary of routes
and their status that day:
  • 14th Street Bridge to 14th Street – All traffic will be diverted by MPD onto the Southeast/Southwest freeway beginning at 5:30 am
  • Roosevelt Bridge – Traffic coming across the Roosevelt Bridge will be diverted into northbound Potomac River Expressway to Pennsylvania Avenue or Whitehurst Freeway/K Street.  
  • Memorial Bridge – Restricted to pedestrians and authorized vehicles only
  • Key Bridge – Open to all traffic
  • Chain Bridge - Open to all traffic
  • South Capitol Street Bridge – Open to all traffic
  • Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Open to all traffic
  • Rock Creek Parkway – Open to traffic (holiday traffic schedule in effect throughout the park)
  • Clara Barton Parkway operating under holiday schedule (two-way traffic all day)
  • 11th Street Bridges – Open to all traffic
  • Sousa Bridge – Open to all traffic from east of the river to security checkpoint at Capitol Hill
  • East Capitol Street – Open to all traffic. Roadways near RFK Stadium are primary routes for charter tour bus operators.
  • Benning Road – Open to all traffic
  • New York Avenue – Open to all traffic
  • 3rd Street Tunnel – Closed to all vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic
  • Woodrow Wilson Bridge – Open to all traffic

Washington, DC Vehicular Restrictions

Vehicle Restricted Zone: Vehicular restrictions in Washington, DC, will be instituted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the US Park Police. While the outer perimeter of the vehicle restricted zone will be open to traffic, drivers should expect delays. Drivers and passengers should be prepared to provide proof of residence, work identification or a reasonable verbal justification to enter the restricted area.

MetroAccess vehicles carrying passengers with disabilities will have access to the vehicle restricted zone to load/unload passengers only.  MetroAccess vehicles may not park on the street in any area designated Emergency No Parking.

Vehicles or individuals in vehicles displaying Americans with Disabilities Act or handicap identification (such as an authorized parking tag or license plate) may access the vehicle restricted zone and may park in operating parking garages or lots. These vehicles may not park on the street in any area designated Emergency No Parking.

Vehicles transporting individuals with a medical emergency or accessing necessary medical care may access the restricted area.

The following areas may be enforced as Emergency No Parking beginning 7 am on Sunday, January 20, through 7 am on Tuesday, January 22.  From 3 am to 7 pm on Monday, January 21, many of these areas will be posted by law enforcement personnel and vehicular traffic will be limited.
  • South of K Street, NW from Washington Circle to 11th Street, NW
  • Washington Circle from K Street, NW to 23rd Street, NW
  • Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from Washington Circle to the US Capitol
  • I Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 11th Street, NW
  • H Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • G Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • F Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • E Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • Virginia Avenue  from 23rd Street, NW to 2nd Street, SW
  • D Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 1st Street, NW
  • C Street, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street, NW to 2nd Street, NE
  • Madison Drive, NW from 15th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • Jefferson Drive, SW from 15th Street, SW to 3rd Street, SW
  • Independence Avenue from 23rd Street, SW to 2nd Street, SE
  • C Street, SW from 7th Street, SW to 2nd Street, SW
  • D Street, SW from 7th Street, SW to 2nd Street, SW
  • E Street, SW from 7th Street, SW to 2nd Street, SW
  • Maryland Avenue, SW from 7th Street, SW to the US Capitol
  • 23rd Street from Washington Circle, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 22nd Street, NW from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 21st Street, NW from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 20th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 19th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 18th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 17th Street from K Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • Connecticut Avenue, NW from K Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • 16th Street, NW from K Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • Vermont Avenue, NW from K Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • 15th Street from K Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 14th Street from K Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • New York Avenue, NW from 18th Street, NW to 11th Street, NW
  • 13th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • 12th Street from K Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 11th Street, NW from K Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • 10th Street, NW from H Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 9th Street from H Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 8th Street, NW from H Street, NW to D Street, NW
  • 7th Street from H Street, NW to E Street, SW
  • 6th Street from H Street, NW to E Street, SW
  •  5th Street from H Street, NW to D Street, NW
  • 4th Street from H Street, NW to E Street, SW
  • 3rd Street from Massachusetts Avenue, NW to E Street, SW
  • Henry Bacon Drive, NW from the Lincoln Memorial to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Daniel French Drive, SW from the Lincoln Memorial to Independence Avenue, SW
Vehicular Road Closures: From 3 am to 7 pm on Monday, January 21, the following roads will be closed and off limits to vehicles without a law enforcement escort:
  • Pennsylvania Avenue, NW from 18th Street, NW to the US Capitol
  • I Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 12th Street, NW
  • H Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 12th Street, NW
  • G Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 12th Street, NW
  • F Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 12th Street, NW
  • E Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 6th Street, NW
  • D Street, NW from 18th Street, NW to 6th Street, NW
  • C Street from 18th Street, NW to 2nd Street, NE
  • Constitution Avenue from 17th Street, NW to 2nd Street, NE
  • Madison Drive, NW from 15th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW
  • Jefferson Drive, SW from 15th Street, SW to 3rd Street, SW
  • Independence Avenue from 14th Street, SW to 2nd Street, NE
  • Maryland Avenue, SW from 6th Street, SW to the US Capitol
  • 17th Street from I Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • Connecticut Avenue, NW from I Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • 16th Street, NW from I Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • Vermont Avenue, NW from I Street, NW to H Street, NW
  • 15th Street from I Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 14th Street from I Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • New York Avenue, NW from 18th Street, NW to 12th Street, NW
  • 13th Street, NW from I Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • 12th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 11th Street, NW from F Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
  • 10th Street, NW from F Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 9th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 8th Street, NW from F Street, NW to D Street, NW
  • 7th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 6th Street from F Street, NW to Maryland Avenue, SW
  • 5th Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 4th Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • 3rd Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
Capitol Hill: Road closures on Capitol Hill will be instituted by the US Capitol Police in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department. Access to the perimeter will be restricted to properly authorized and credentialed personnel only. No public parking will be provided.

The following street closures will go into effect starting at 3 am on Monday, January 21, 2013:
  • Louisiana Avenue, NE between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Delaware Avenue, NE between Columbus Circle and D Street, NE
  • 1st Street between Columbus Circle and D Street, SE
  • North Capitol Street between E Street, NW and Louisiana Avenue, NE
  • New Jersey Avenue, NW between D Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW
  • D Street between New Jersey Avenue, NW and 2nd Street, NE
  • 1st Street between D Street, NW and Washington Avenue, SW
  • C Street, NW between 2nd Street, NW and New Jersey Avenue, NW
  • 2nd Street, NW between C Street, NW and Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 2nd Street, NE between Massachusetts Avenue, NE and C Street, SE
  • C Street, SE between 2nd Street, SE and 1st Street, SW
  • D Street between 1st Street, SE and Washington Avenue, SW
  • Washington Avenue, SW between South Capitol Street and Independence Avenue, SW
  • Independence Avenue between 2nd Street, SE and 3rd Street, SW
  • 3rd Street between E Street, SW and D Street, NW
  • Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street, NE and 3rd Street, NW
  • Maryland Avenue, NE between 1st Street, NE and 2nd Street, NE
  • East Capitol Street between 1st Street, NE and 2nd Street, NE
  • 2nd Street, SW between Washington Avenue, SW and E Street, SW
  • C Street, SW between 3rd Street, SW and Washington Avenue, SW
  • D Street, SW between 3rd Street, SW and 2nd Street, SW
  • South Capitol Street between E Street, SW and D Street, SW
  • I-295 South on-ramp from Washington Avenue, SW
  • I-395 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue, SW
  • I-395 North off-ramp onto C  Street, NW
  • I-395 South on-ramp from 2nd Street, SW
  • I-395 South off-ramp onto 2nd Street, SW
  • I-395 North on-ramp from Washington Avenue, SW
  • I-295 North off-ramp onto Washington Avenue, SW
Streets will reopen once the parade concludes at approximately 5 pm

Charter Buses

Transportation and security planners anticipate up to 2,500 private buses carrying approximately 135,000 participants to Washington, DC, for the Inaugural events. Parking is only available at RFK Stadium and must be reserved in advance. From RFK Stadium, passengers will be able to walk, or, in limited cases, take shuttle buses to the Inaugural events.

Charter buses will not be able to park and/or drop off passengers at any Metro station in Washington DC, Virginia or Maryland. All transportation providers planning to travel to the District of Columbia during Inauguration Week with chartered buses, motor carriers, etc., must obtain a trip permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicles and must reserve parking in advance. Registration for permits and parking for charter buses must be completed no later than Friday, January 18, 2013. No registrations will be accepted after this date.

Virginia Vehicular Restrictions

All vehicular road restrictions will be coordinated between the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions. 
  • I-395 HOV northbound lanes will close at 9 am on January 21.  HOV lanes on I-395 will re-open southbound upon the conclusion of the Inaugural address.
  • I-395 main lanes and I-66 will be open to all traffic
  • Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only
  • Key Bridge, Chain Bridge, Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the American Legion Bridge will be open to all traffic
  • North Washington Street at Montgomery Street (City of Alexandria City) to Reagan National Airport will be open

US Park Police Closures

Access to the following roads will be coordinated by the US Park Police. On January 21, 2013:
  • The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be open in both directions
  • Traffic will be allowed to exit Washington Reagan National Airport onto northbound or southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway

Maryland Transportation Information

While there are no anticipated road closures or restrictions in Maryland, officials are discouraging individuals from driving into the District and encouraging the use of mass transit. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration is supporting Inaugural activities by:
  • Conducting extended emergency traffic patrols along interstate and primary highways approaching the National Capital Region
  • Providing real time traffic public information by means of Dynamic Message Signs, Highway Advisory Radios and CHART (the Coordinated Highways Action Response Team) on the Internet
  • Assisting motorists and removing abandoned and disabled vehicles from travel lanes and reporting on travel conditions
  • Providing traffic control support to conduct ramp closures and other operations warranted to maintain traffic
  • Log onto marylandtransportation.com for transit and travel information

Public Transportation

Inaugural event attendees are encouraged to use public transportation as many streets in and around the Capitol Grounds and the National Mall area will be closed to private automobiles for much of the day.

Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 17 consecutive hours on January 21, from 4 am to 9 pm, and will operate on a non-rush hour schedule until 2 am. During the rush-hour service, Metro will charge peak fares.  Due to security measures that will be in place, the Archives and Mt. Vernon Square stations on Metro's green and yellow lines and the Smithsonian station on the blue and orange lines, will be closed all day on Inauguration Day, Monday, January 21.

Metro’s commemorative one-day pass with a special Inauguration design is currently being sold for $15 online or at Metro sales offices.  Individuals should purchase their farecards, one-day passes or SmarTrip cards in advance of Inauguration Day if possible to avoid lines that day.

Metro has approximately 60,000 parking spaces in 29 lots and 22 garages throughout the Washington region for private motorists to park on Inauguration Day.   Parking lots and garages are expected to fill very quickly, so it is advisable to have a back-up plan in place should the lots be filled. Parking fares are to be paid upon exit and only value from a SmarTrip card or credit card will be accepted as forms of payment. Cash will not be accepted. Tour and charter buses will not be permitted to park or discharge their passengers on Metro property.

On Inauguration Day, Metrobus will operate on a weekday schedule with normal rush hour service in the morning, followed by an early rush hour in the afternoon. However, with street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, all Metro bus routes near the National Mall will be subject to detours and delays. Bus riders are encouraged to visitwmata.com for details and to allow extra time on Inauguration Day.

During Inauguration weekend, MetroAccess will operate identical hours to rail and bus schedules. MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan extra time to travel due to increased traffic throughout the service area. Street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the Inauguration and parade on Inauguration day will mean that MetroAccess vehicles will only be able to drop off customers several blocks from the Inauguration and parade route. MetroAccess vehicles will not be permitted access to streets that are closed. All MetroAccess users should be prepared for detours. MetroAccess customers must reserve their trips by 4:30 pm the day prior to travel.

Individuals planning to use Metro during Inaugural activities can sign up for special alerts on Metro’s Web site atwmata.com/inauguration. Alerts will be issued via email and text message when Metro has news relating to service for the Inauguration, as well as service information on Inauguration weekend. Customers can also get updates on Twitter by following @WMATA or @MetroInaug. 

Pedestrian Routes

The following streets have been identified as pedestrian routes to the National Mall. A pedestrian map is attached.
  • H Street, NW from 3rd Street, NW to 18th Street, NW
  • I Street, NW from New York Avenue, NW to 18th Street, NW
  • 18th Street from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • 19th Street from K Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Virginia Ave NW from 23rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Constitution Avenue, NW from 23rd Street to 7th Street, NW
  • Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • E Street, NW from 3rd Street, NW to Massachusetts Avenue, NE to 2nd Street, NE
  • 2nd Street, NE from Massachusetts Avenue, NE to North Carolina Avenue, SE to New Jersey Avenue, SE to I Street, SE/SW to 7th Street, SW
  • 3rd Street, NE from Massachusetts Avenue, NE to D Street, SE to North Carolina Avenue, SE to New Jersey Avenue, SE to I Street, SE/SW to 7th Street, SW
  • East Capitol Street, NE from 19th Street, NE to North Carolina Avenue, SE to New Jersey Avenue, SE to I Street, SE/SW to 7th Street, SW
  • 7th Street, SW from I Street, SW to Independence Avenue, SW
  • Independence Avenue, SW from 23rd Street, SW to 7th Street, SW
National Mall access points:
  • Constitution Avenue, NW at 7th Street, NW, 9th Street, NW and 12th Street, NW
  • Independence Avenue, SW at 7th Street, SW and 12th Street, SW
The following streets have been identified as pedestrian routes to the Inaugural Parade:
  • H Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 13th Street, NW
  • I Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 13th Street, NW
  • Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Virginia Avenue, NW from 23rd Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
  • Constitution Avenue, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 7th Street, NW
  • East Capitol Street, NE from 19th Street, NE to Massachusetts Avenue, NE to D Street, NE/NW
  • D Street, NE from Massachusetts Avenue, NE to 7th Street, NW
  • I Street, SE from New Jersey Avenue, SE to 7th Street, SW to Constitution Avenue, NW
For pedestrians walking to the National Mall, 3rd Street, NW is the recommended east/west divide on the north side of the parade route.  It is 3.2 miles from 3rd and E Streets, NW to 7th Street and Independence Avenue, SW (going around the US Capitol) and 3.2 miles from 3rd and H Streets, NW to 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW (going around the White House) using these pedestrian routes.

Viewing the Inauguration ceremonies from the US Capitol grounds requires a ticket issued by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (find information on tickets).  Recommended Metro exits for individuals with tickets include Capitol South, Eastern Market, Union Station, NoMa-Gallaudet U (New York Ave.), Judiciary Square, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Federal Center SW or L’Enfant Plaza. Additional information on the Inauguration ceremonies is available atinaugural.senate.gov.

Viewing the Inaugural ceremonies from the National Mall does not require tickets. The non-ticketed area of the National Mall begins at 4th Street, NW, and extends towards the Washington Monument. Entry points to the non-ticketed portion of the National Mall are located at:
  • Constitution Avenue, NW at 7th Street, NW, 9th Street, NW and 12th Street, NW
  • Independence Avenue, SW at 7th Street, SW and 12th Street, SW
Individuals using Metro to access the Inaugural events, including the non-ticketed area of the National Mall, are advised to:
  • Use Metro’s interactive “What’s My Best Route” tool at wmata.com/inauguration to find the best station to use near the National Mall.
  • Exit at a station on the same line as where they started their trip to avoid transferring.
  • Avoid high-traffic stations near the Capitol including Capitol South, Union Station, Judiciary Square or Federal Center SW stations.

Bike Parking and Capital Bikeshare Corrals

On Inauguration Day, January 21, DDOT and goDCgo will establish a bike parking area at 16th and I Streets, NW with space available for hundreds of bikes. Owners will be responsible for parking and locking their own bikes and availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, Capital Bikeshare will establish two corrals on Inauguration Day to serve members attending the Inauguration and Inaugural Parade. The corrals – which are only for Capital Bikeshare bikes - will be located at:
  • 17th and K Streets, NW (Farragut Square)
  • 12th Street and Independence Avenue  SW (US Department of Agriculture)
For more information on Capital Bikeshare, visit capitalbikeshare.com.

Inaugural Balls

There will be two official Inaugural balls hosted at the Washington Convention Center. Emergency No Parking zones and some road closures will be in effect near this site.

Social Media

Information will be available prior to and during Inauguration day on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. To see Inauguration related material, please use the hashtag: #inaug2013. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include:

To receive free emergency alerts and public notifications regarding the Inauguration, text the word "INAUGURATION" to 888777.  Text messaging fees may apply according to your cellular plan.
Online Information
Additional information is available online for residents of the District, Virginia and Maryland, as well as charter operators, through the following websites:
In addition, Inaugural information is available on the following sites to help those planning to attend the inaugural events:

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