Timing
How to Get There
- MARC will operate inbound trains from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and outbound trains from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Advantage of MARC is that it drops you at Union Station, three blocks from the Capitol.
- Tickets for all lines have sold out. No tickets will be sold on Inauguration Day. MTA commuter bus is now the preferred option.
- For information go to http://www.mtamaryland.com/ and click on the inauguration icon.
- MTA commuter buses will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and then from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- 9,000 tickets will be available on the day of the Inauguration for the commuter bus service.
- MTA commuter buses will operate between park and ride lots at specified locations across the state and suburban Washington Metro stations.
- Customers can then board Metro to the downtown Washington, D.C., area.
- Tickets are $10 for a round trip on the bus. Metro fare will be additional at the Metro station.
- Park and Ride lots offering MTA commuter bus service include: Frederick (Monocacy Park & Ride) to Shady Grove every 30 minutes, Columbia (Broken Land Park & Ride) to Greenbelt every 30 minutes, Scaggsville/Burtonsville to Silver Spring every 30 minutes, Annapolis to New Carrollton every 30 minutes, Kent Island to New Carrollton every 60 minutes, Prince Frederick/Dunkirk to Branch Avenue every 30 minutes, Upper Marlboro to Branch Avenue every 30 minutes, Charlotte Hall to Branch Avenue every 30 minutes, Waldorf (Blue Crabs Stadium) to Branch Avenue every 20 minutes
- For more information on the commuter bus service, go to http://www.mtamaryland.com/ and click on the Inauguration icon.
- Passengers arriving at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport destined for Washington, D.C., will have the ability to obtain transportation information from an army of volunteers that will be at information desks located throughout the terminal.
- The airport’s regularly scheduled shuttle service operating between the terminal and the BWI Amtrak/MARC station will be increased to meet demand, if necessary.
- Operations professionals at BWI Thurgood Marshall have been working with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines and general aviation interests to coordinate an expected increase in air traffic related to the Inauguration.
- Metro will run additional buses from Friday, January 16 through Wednesday, January 21 on the B30 Route, which operates between BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Greenbelt Metrorail station. Metro will operate the B30 on a weekday enhanced schedule with buses running every 15-20 minutes.
Virginia Public Transit Resources
- Huntington: Routes 101, 109, 151, 152, 161, 162, 171
- Franconia-Springfield: Routes 171, 310, 321, 322, 401
- Van Dorn Street: Routes 109, 321, 322
- Dunn Loring: Route 401
- West Falls Church: Routes 425, 427, 505, 551, 585, 950 and 980
- Backlick North: Route 310
- Herndon Monroe Park and Ride: Routes 551, 950, 980
- Lorton Market Street: Route 171
- Michael's, Richmond Highway: Route 171
- Reston East: Routes 505, 551
- Reston North: Route 505
- Reston South: Route 585
- Rolling Valley: Route 310
- Springfield Mall: Routes 321, 322, 401
- VRE Backlick Road Station: Routes 321, 322, 401
- VRE Lorton Station: Route 171
- DDOT – http://www.gettingthere.dc.gov/
- Maryland Department of Transportation – http://www.marylandtransportation.com/
- Virginia State Police – http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Inauguration_2009.shtm
- Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority – www.wmata.com
- NBCWashington.com Traffic Section – http://www.nbcwashington.com/traffic_autos/
- Traffic Cams on Your Cell Phone/PDA – http://www.freetrafficcams.com/washington
- NBCWashington.com Inauguration Guide – http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Inauguration_Guide.html
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, http://www.inaugural.senate.gov (for those with tickets)
Getting Around the Mall by Foot or Bike
- E Street NE from Massachusetts Avenue NE to 3rd Street NW
- 7th Street SW from D Street SW to Independence Avenue SW
- 19th Street NW from K Street NW to DuPont Circle NW
- 3rd Street Tunnel (I-395) from New York Avenue NW to SE/SW Freeway
- Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Independence Avenue SW
- East Capitol Street NE to North Carolina SE to New Jersey Avenue SE to I Street SE
- 6th Street NW from K Street NW to P Street NW
- 13th Street NW from K Street NW to Logan Circle NW
- East Capitol Street NE to Massachusetts Avenue NE
- Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia, around Lincoln Circle to Henry Bacon Drive NW
Accessibility
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services are working to ensure that the 2009 Inaugural ceremonies are as accessible as possible. The JCCIC Website has information for persons with disabilities to help them plan their day, http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/accessibility.cfm. Traffic Restrictions
- 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 operating under Holiday schedule (2 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 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.
- 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 US 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 US 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 Dr. NW from the Lincoln Memorial to Constitution Avenue NW
- Daniel French Dr. 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
- Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 18th Street NW to the US 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 US 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
- 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
- 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
- I-395 north will be closed to general traffic. 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. Eastbound traffic on I-66 will also be diverted onto I-495
- Only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis, and for-hire limos and car services, -- will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway beginning at 3 a.m. and continuing until about 7 p.m. on Inauguration Day.
- Memorial Bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic only. No motor vehicles will be permitted to cross the bridges.
- 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.
- From 4 p.m. Saturday, January 17, until 3 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, HOV-2 will be in effect eastbound.
- From 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, only buses and authorized vehicles will be allowed to use the eastbound HOV lanes.
- From 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, until 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, HOV-2 will be in effect westbound.
- From 4 p.m. Saturday, January 17 until 3 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, the I-395/95 HOV lanes will be northbound for vehicles carrying three or more people (HOV-3).
- From 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, only buses and authorized vehicles will be permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes from Route 234/Dumfries to Washington.
- The I-95/395 HOV lanes will open to HOV-3 traffic at 5 a.m. Wednesday, January 21.
- The I-95/395 HOV lanes will be open southbound for HOV-3 vehicles from 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, until 3 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, and from 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 21, until 9 p.m. or later.
U.S. Park Police Closures
- 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 Memorial Parkway for the airport only. All other traffic will need to use Route 1 or mass transit to access the airport.
- Buses and authorized vehicles will be allowed to exit Washington Reagan 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 southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway.
What Not to Bring
Here’s what is acceptable: “Bags smaller than 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches…”
What can you bring? What can't you bring? Check out this comprehensive list:
Prohibited Items
The following items will be prohibited from all inaugural event sites and locations, which does not include the general viewing area of the National Mall:
- firearms (either real or simulated)
- ammunition
- explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
- knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
- mace and/or pepper spray
- sticks or poles
- pocket or hand tools, such as "leatherman"
- packages
- backpacks
- large bags
- duffle bags
- suitcases
- weapons of any kind
- aerosols
- supports for signs and placards
- packages
- coolers
- thermoses, thermal or glass containers
- strollers
- umbrellas
- bags exceeding size restrictions (8”x6”x4”)
- laser pointers
- animals other than helper/guide dogs
- structures
- bicycles
- signs and posters
- animals (other than service animals)
- alcoholic beverages
- other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Prohibited items in the general viewing area of the National Mall west of Fourth Street include but are not limited to:
Other Important Reminders
There are no warming tents or childcare facilities on Capitol Grounds. People should think carefully about bringing infants and small children.
Guests who take medications should bring them with them in case of very long delays in getting to and from events.
Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages.
Additional Information
In addition, Inaugural information is available on the following sites to help those planning to attend the inaugural events:
- Presidential Inaugural Committee – http://www.pic2009.org/
- D.C. Presidential Inaugural Committee – http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/
- Armed Forces Inaugural Committee – http://www.afic.northcom.mil/
- United States Secret Service – www.secretservice.gov