Inauguration: Some DC Bridges To Remain Open For Local Traffic

WASHINGTON, DC — Although most D.C.-area residents are probably planning to avoid traveling into the District due to all the inauguration closures, some people, like essential workers or delivery drivers, may still need to access the city on Wednesday.

The U.S. Secret Service, which is overseeing the security for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, updated its 2021 Presidential Inauguration Transportation Plan, including a list of the access points that will still be open to local traffic.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the following bridges will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists until 6 a.m. on Thursday:

• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge – East bound traffic will be closed to all vehicles entering the city. West bound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city.

• Arlington Memorial Bridge – No traffic allowed in either direction.

• I-395 & 14th Street Bridge – North bound traffic will be closed to all vehicles entering the city. South bound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city.

• I-695 - I-695 is open to traffic in both directions.

Starting at 6 a.m., on Tuesday, the following bridges will have commercial vehicle restrictions, but will remain open for local vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists until 6 a.m., on Thursday:

• South Capitol Street/Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge – North bound lanes will have commercial vehicle restrictions but remain open to local traffic. South bound traffic will flow normally, toward Maryland.

• 11th Street Bridge – Travel lanes into the Navy Yard area will have commercial vehicle restrictions but remain open to local traffic.

• John Phillip Sousa (Pennsylvania Ave.) Bridge – Travel lanes west toward downtown will have commercial vehicle restrictions but open to local traffic. South bound traffic will flow normally, toward Maryland.

• Key Bridge – will remain open, but access to Whitehurst Freeway will be closed. Traffic from the Key Bridge will make a left turn onto Canal Road/MacArthur Boulevard and local traffic may go right on M Street. East bound on M Street will have commercial vehicle restrictions.

Since commercial vehicles will not be allowed access during this time period, motorists should anticipate delays and allow for extra time will traveling via these affected bridges.

The Secret Service encourages essentials workers who need to travel to their place of employment to enter Washington from the east via I-295 North at E. Capitol Street, Benning Road, or New York Avenue (Route 50).

The area's three other Potomac River crossings — the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the American Legion Bridge, and the Chain Bridge — will also remain open to traffic. Drivers may also enter the District via the Capital Beltway in Maryland. In addition, all major roads into the city remain open.

All vehicles, including delivery vehicles without appropriate credentials, will not be able to enter restricted zones between midnight, Jan. 19, and a time to be determined on Jan. 21.

Also see ...

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