Inauguration Day Timing Some of this information is preliminary. More detail will be added as it becomes available.
- 4 a.m. -- Metro opens (at rush-hour service and fare levels).
- 5 a.m. -- Monday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends; they can remain open 24 hours through Jan. 21.
- 8 a.m. -- Security gates open for ticketed guests
- 9 a.m. -- Ceremony gates open.
- 10 a.m. -- Musical prelude.
- Noon -- Ceremony ends, followed by the inaugural address, luncheon, departure of President Bush and parade.
- 7 p.m. -- Rush-hour Metro service levels end.
- 2 a.m. -- Metro closes.
- 4 a.m. -- Tuesday extended alcohol service for bars and nightclubs ends.
Transporation - It will be VERY BAD
Main Roads and Bridges on Jan. 20, 4 a.m.-7 p.m. -- 14th Street Bridge restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only. -- Roosevelt Bridge restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only. -- Memorial Bridge restricted to Pedestrians and Emergency Vehicles Only. -- Key Bridge restricted to Mass Transit Only. -- Chain Bridge restricted to Authorized Vehicles and Mass Transit Only, no charter buses. -- South Capitol Street Bridge restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only. -- Southeast/Southwest Freeway restricted to Emergency Vehicles Only. -- Rock Creek Parkway open to traffic from Beach Drive to Virginia Avenue NW. (Holiday traffic schedule in effect throughout the park.) -- Clara Barton Parkway will have two-way traffic all day. -- 11th Street Bridges restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only. -- Sousa Bridge open to all traffic from east of the river to a security checkpoint in Capitol Hill. -- Barney Circle closed to all vehicles. -- East Capitol Street open to all traffic, but roadways around RFK will be filled with tour buses. -- Benning Road open to all traffic. -- New York Avenue open to all traffic. -- 3rd Street Tunnel closed to all vehicular traffic and restricted to pedestrian use only.
Authorized vehicles include taxis and limousines with valid licenses.
D.C. Vehicular Restrictions From 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, many of these areas will be restricted, with traffic limited to residents showing government-issued identification (driver's licenses) or vehicle registration indicating residency inside the restricted area, or to vehicles conducting essential business within the restricted area: -- K Street NW from Washington Circle to 12th Street NW -- Washington Circle from K Street NW to 23rd Street NW -- Pennsylvania Avenue NW from Washington Circle to the 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 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 Dr. NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW -- Jefferson Dr. 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 U S 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 -- Ohio Drive from Independence Avenue through West Potomac and East Potomac Parks -- Buckeye Drive in East Potomac Park -- West Basin Drive -- East Basin Drive -- Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle -- Maine Avenue from East Basin Drive to Independence Avenue
In addition, from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 20, 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 U S 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 Dr. NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW -- Jefferson Dr. 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 U S 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
Road closures on Capitol Hill These street closures will be in effect from at 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 20: -- Louisiana Avenue between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue NW -- Delaware Avenue between Columbus Circle and D Street NE -- First Street between Columbus Circle and D Street NE -- North Capitol Street NW between E Street and Louisiana Avenue -- E Street between New Jersey Avenue and North Capitol Street NW -- New Jersey Avenue NW between E Street and Louisiana Avenue NW -- D Street between Louisiana Avenue NW and Second Street NE -- First Street NW between D Street NW and Louisiana Avenue NW -- C Street NW between First Street and Louisiana Avenue NW -- Second Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue NW -- Second Street NE between Massachusetts Avenue NE and C Street SE -- C Street SE between Second Street SE and First Street SE -- First Street SE between C Street and D Street SE -- D Street between First Street SE and Washington Avenue SW -- Washington Avenue SW between D Street SW, and Independence Avenue SW -- Independence Avenue SW between Second Street SW and Third Street NW -- Third Street between SW Freeway and Constitution Avenue NW -- Constitution Avenue NW between Second Street NW and Third Street NW
Charter Bus Parking Specific zones and road closures are posted on the District's Inauguration Web site at www.gettingthere.dc.gov. Streets around the bus parking areas will be closed to private automobile traffic and will be posted as "Emergency No Parking" zones beginning at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19.
These areas include: -- RFK Stadium -- 12th Street NW to 22nd Street and K Street NW to P Street NW -- First Street NE to 6th Street NW and New York Avenue to H Street NW -- Designated areas in Southwest and Southeast (See The Post map of the charter bus parking areas. Note the size of these areas that will be closed to regular traffic.)
Virginia Vehicular Restrictions On Jan. 20, personal vehicles will not be permitted into the District from Virginia: -- I-395 north will be closed to general traffic from 2 a.m. to about 6 p.m. As a result, northbound I-95 traffic will be diverted onto I-495 North (Inner Loop) or I-495/I-95 East (Outer Loop) at the Springfield interchange. -- Eastbound I-66 lanes east of the Capital Beltway/I-495 will be closed to general traffic from 2 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Eastbound traffic on I-66 will also be diverted onto I-495. --Only authorized vehicles (emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and for-hire limos) will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway. -- Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic only. -- Key Bridge is restricted to mass transit only. -- Chain Bridge is restricted to authorized vehicles and mass transit only, no charter buses. -- The Woodrow Wilson and the American Legion bridges will have no traffic restrictions. -- North Washington Street at Montgomery Street (City of Alexandria City) to Reagan National Airport will be closed.
U.S. Park Police Closures On Jan. 20: -- The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed in both directions from I-495 to the 14th Street Bridge. -- Buses and authorized vehicles traveling to Washington Reagan National Airport via I-395 may exit onto southbound George Washington Parkway for the airport only. All other traffic will need to use Route 1 or mass transit to reach the airport. -- Buses and authorized vehicles will be allowed to exit National Airport onto northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway to enter the District of Columbia via the 14th Street Bridge. All other traffic will be allowed to exit the airport via Route 1 or the southbound George Washington 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 Obvious
- No firearms (real or simulated)
- No mace or pepper spray
- No fireworks or other explosives
- No animals other than service animals
- No knives, blades or sharp objects
- No pocket or hand tools such as the “Leatherman”
- Security screeners have the power to prohibit any items that may pose a threat to the security of the event.
The Parade
What is the parade route?
The parade, which takes place after the swearing-in ceremony, will run down Pennsylvania Ave. NW from the Capitol to the White House.
When does the parade start?
Officially it starts at 2 p.m., but often that is delayed.
What takes place during the parade?
After his luncheon, President Obama will travel to the White House, where he will watch the parade from a reviewing stand.
Who else will be in the parade?
Between 10,000 and 12,000 participants from college, high school, and military bands -- as well as drill teams, military honor guards and other groups -- are expected to march with Obama in the parade.
Do I need a ticket to view the parade?
Tickets are needed to sit in one of the 8,700 planned bleacher seats, but no ticket is required to watch from the sidewalk. Tickets will sold by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Unused bleacher seats are expected to be made available to the public a few minutes before the parade begins.
Walking to the Inauguration
The bad news: Witnessing this historic occasion in person will require a bit of a schlep. The good news: Officials say pedestrians will be allowed to go just about everywhere. So what about those who have to park their cars and venture over the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on foot for the first time? Put on your sturdy shoes, grab a wind-resistant jacket and climb down into this guide to walking over the 10 bridges into the District of Columbia.
INAUGURATION WEATHER FORECAST
It will be cold. Temperate between low 20's - 40's Wind Chill for the weekend could be 22F