Major road closures will be in effect in D.C. when during Pope Francis' visit this week -- and if foot traffic gets overwhelming, Arlington could also shut down some roadways.
Authorities say that if a large number of pedestrians decided to walk out of the District, police will close some streets in Rosslyn and Pentagon City -- as well as sections of Interstate 66 and George Washington Parkway -- to help keep people safe.
The closures would be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, only in the event of "a large pedestrian walkout" from D.C., said the Arlington County Police Department. Large events have caused people to walk instead of wait for Metro in the past, said police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.
The following streets would be shut down:
Rosslyn:
- N. 19th Street at N. Lynn Street
- N. 19th Street at Fort Myer Drive
- N. Moore Street at Lee Highway
- Wilson Boulevard at Ft. Myer Drive
- Wilson Boulevard at N. Lynn Street
- Ft. Myer Drive at N. 17th Street and Fairfax Drive
Pentagon City:
- Army Navy Drive at S. Eads Street
- Army Navy Drive at S. Joyce Street
- 1200 S. Hayes Street at entrance to mall
- S. 15th Street at S. Hayes Street
- S. 12th Street at S. Fern Street
Major Routes:
- I-66 eastbound at the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge; all traffic would be diverted onto Route 110 southbound
- Route 50 East at exit to Teddy Roosevelt Bridge; all traffic would be diverted onto George Washington Parkway southbound
If police do close down streets, authorities would send out traffic alerts and updates via social media, Sternbeck said.
