Less than a week from the Inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden on January 20th, road closures and a security perimeter are already being implemented in the downtown area.
Concrete barriers have been put up to block cross streets across K Street NW and officers have begun screening people coming downtown. The Metro also plans to close some of its busiest stations this weekend.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is urging people to avoid the downtown area and is telling potential visitors to stay home.
Starting Friday, January 15 at 6:00am, all parking garages in restricted zones will be blocked off. Any vehicles in these garages or affiliated loading zones will be stuck there until after the Inauguration.
“We know this is very inconvenient for our residents and businesses,” Bowser said at a press conference. “I want to say thank you for your cooperation and flexibility... Clearly we are in unchartered waters.”
Bowser added that the situation regarding restrictions and closures leading into the Inauguration on Wednesday is still a very fluid situation and that more information will be continually released.
More information can be found at the DC Government's Inauguration web page.
Law enforcement announced the following road closures until after Inauguration Day:
- Constitution Avenue, from First Street NW to Second Street NE
- Independence Avenue, from Washington Avenue SW to Second Street SE.
- First Street, from Constitution Avenue NE to Independence Avenue SE.
- East Capitol Street NE, from First to Second streets
Starting Friday, these Metro stations will close:
- Red Line:Farragut North, Judiciary Square, Union Station
- Yellow/Green Lines:Archives
- Blue Line:Arlington Cemetery
- Blue/Orange/Silver Lines:Farragut West, McPherson Square, Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Smithsonian, Federal Triangle
Trains on these lines will continue through the stations without stopping.
26 Metrobus routes will also be re-routed and will run on a Saturday schedule on Inauguration Day.
Source: DCist.com