Transportation guide to inauguration-related events
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| Port-a-potties installed on the National Mall for the inauguration have the company name Don’s Johns covered up. [WTOP] |
Heading to D.C. for the inauguration or protest events on Friday, Jan. 20, or the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21? Here’s what you need to know
Metro
Metrorail will run from 4 a.m. to midnight on Inauguration Day, with rush-hour service and peak fares all day until 9 p.m.
For security reasons, the Archives, Federal Triangle, Mt Vernon Square, Pentagon, and Smithsonian stations will be closed on Inauguration Day. Several downtown Metro station entrances will be designated as “entry only” or “exit only” and some escalators will be turned off for crowd management purposes.
Sign up to receive text alerts about Metro service during inauguration week by texting POTUS to the number 90360.
Expect Metro parking lots to fill up quickly. If you do get it in, you’ll have to use a credit car or SmarTrip farecard to exit. Cash is not accepted.
On Jan. 21, Metrorail and Metrobus will operate on a regular weekend schedule.
Buses
Metrobuses will operate on a Saturday supplemental service schedule (with additional trips on some routes) on Jan. 20. Expect major Metrobus detours and turn-backs in the National Mall area.
Pennsylvania Avenue NW will be closed between the Capitol and the White House for the inaugural parade. Due to road closures, more than 50 Metrobus routes will be changed.
The Pentagon Transit Center will be closed on Jan. 20, so all bus routes that begin or end there will stop at Pentagon City.
Roads
On Jan. 20, Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and authorized vehicle traffic only.
On Jan. 21, the area west of the U.S. Capitol will be closed to traffic 3 a.m.-6 p.m. That includes Third Street and Fourth Street NW between Constitution Avenue and C Street SW; Independence Avenue SW between First Street and Sixth Street; and Maryland Avenue SW between First Street and Independence Avenue.
There will be rolling street closures during the Women’s March on Jan. 21 beginning at 1 p.m., affecting Independence Avenue SW between Third Street and 14th Street; 14th Street SW to Constitution Avenue NW; and Constitution Avenue NW to 17th Street NW.
Inauguration
There will be security lines at inauguration events, so allow for extra time. The U.S. Secret Service prohibits a large list of items, including bicycles, weapons, mace, selfie sticks, and signs.
Women’s March
The Women’s March, an event in support of social justice and human rights, is open to people of all genders, races, cultures, and political affiliations.
It starts at 10 a.m. with a rally at Independence Avenue and Third Street SW near the Capitol, followed by a mile-and-a-half march.
Participants can bring signs and posters but not signs on sticks. Backpacks and large bags are also prohibited.