Downtown DC Access Limited, National Guard Presence Bolstered

WASHINGTON, DC — Security is ramping up in Washington DC and state capitals as officials prepare for potential violent protests leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20. Access to downtown DC will be limited as leaders urge residents to avoid travel to DC for the inauguration. The FBI had also warned states of potential armed protests in state capitals.

As the week began, tall fencing surrounded the U.S. Capitol, and over 25,000 National Guard troops from around the U.S. are expected early this week. On Sunday, National Guard troops already present in DC are stationed outside the Capitol with federal law enforcement. Troops come from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.

The heightened security comes after insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as lawmakers were working to certify the 2020 presidential election results. A Capitol Police officer died as a result of injuries from the insurrection, one person was fatally shot, and three others died of medical emergencies. Another Capitol Police officer who was working during the insurrection died by suicide.

On Sunday, the U.S. Secret Service released updated transportation security information and a comprehensive public access map for Washington, DC, effective Sunday, Jan. 17. In coordination with Secret Service, the National Park Service closed the National Mall to the public at 11 a.m. on Jan. 15 and will keep it closed through at least 9 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Below are the closures of access points, including bridges into DC.

• 14th Street Bridge: Open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 6 a.m. All traffic will be diverted to Interstate 395.
• 14th Street Bridge HOV (North and South): Remains open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge: Remains open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. During the closure, westbound traffic will remain open. Traffic will be diverted north on Potomac Freeway.
• Memorial Bridge: Open for northbound access around Lincoln Circle to 23rd only. Southbound traffic may enter the Lincoln Circle from 23rd St. to access Memorial Bridge. All access is scheduled to be closed Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
• Key Bridge: Open until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. During the closure, there will be no access to Whitehurst Freeway and no right turn permitted on M Street. All traffic must turn left on Canal Street.
• Chain Bridge: Open to all traffic.
• South Capitol Street Bridge on the 295 side: Open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be closed and southbound traffic will remain open.
• Southeast/Southwest Freeway: Closed.
• Potomac River Parkway: Open northbound and closed southbound from Jan. 16 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Access to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge remains open.
• Rock Creek Parkway at Ohio Drive: Closed.
• 11th Street Bridges: Remain open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be closed and southbound traffic will remain open.
• 695 Bridge/Southeast Freeway: Remains open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
• Sousa Bridge: Remains open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be closed and southbound traffic will remain open.
• 3rd Street Tunnel: Remains open with all exits closed. The tunnel will close Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
• 9th Street Tunnel: Closed to all traffic.
• 12th Street Tunnel: Closed to all traffic.
• E Street Tunnel: Closed from Potomac River Freeway northbound and southbound.
• Independence Ave/Maine Ave from 12th Street, SW to Memorial Bridge: Closed to all traffic.

Residents can also find a list of other road closures on the Secret Service's 2021 inauguration web page.

Transit options will be restricted as well. The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority closed 11 Metrorail stations on Friday and two on Saturday through Jan. 21. In addition, 26 bus lines will be detoured around the security perimeter. MARC train service in Maryland is suspended from Jan. 17 to Jan. 20, and Virginia Railway Express will not operate from Jan. 18 to 20.

Richmond officials are also preparing for possible civil unrest in response to the Jan. 6 insurrection in DC. State and local officials will be monitoring Monday's pro-gun Lobby Day protest by the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Last year's Lobby Day remained peaceful, according to state officials.

As a safety precaution, the Virginia Department of General Services closed Capitol Square on Jan. 14 and will keep it closed at least through Jan 21. Officials also started to boost security on Jan. 13 through installation of additional fencing and fortifying buildings in and adjacent to Capitol Square.

A Unified Command has also been established to manage enhanced security as the Virginia General Assembly convened for its 2021 session on Jan. 13. The Unified Command includes the Division of Capitol Police, City of Richmond Police, State Police, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and more. A statement from the Unified Command's Joint Information Center said the legislative process is open to all and that "any violation of law, non-peaceful demonstration, or attempts to intimidate fellow Virginians will not be tolerated."

This story includes reporting from the Associated Press.