Inauguration Day 411

What you need to know if you go

If you're planning to go downtown for the inauguration on Tuesday, there are some facts you should get straight.
 
Driving and parking will be restricted, as will some movement around the National Mall. You'll also be screened for prohibited items, so you'd better know what you can and can't take to the inauguration and how you can and can't take it.
 
Read on to get the facts straight.
 

Timing

 
Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM—one hour earlier than is stated on the ticket. Guests should arrive early to ensure that they are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins. Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 a.m. and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.
 

How to Get There

Be sure to double-check those plans before heading out on Tuesday in case there are important changes to transportation schedules, street and other closures. Have a back-up plan in case your original travel plans need to be changed at the last minute.
It is also important for ticket holders to check the map they received with their tickets to know which side of the National Mall they need to be on in order to reach the entry point designated for their particular section. It won’t be possible to cross the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, except through the 3rd Street Tunnel.
 
The District of Columbia’s inaugural website has the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. We recommend that guests bookmark the site, http://inauguration.dc.gov/getting_there.asp and check it frequently for changing information. 
 
Metro 
 
Metrorail will operate rush hour service for 17 consecutive hours on Jan. 20, from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will operate on a non-rush hour schedule for two extra hours until 2 a.m.  As Metrorail will be operating rush-hour service, it will charge peak fares throughout the day. 
 
Due to security measures, the Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter Metrorail station on Metro's Green and Yellow Lines and the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines, will be closed through the parade on Inauguration Day. Those stations will reopen at about 6:30 p.m. 
 
Metro’s commemorative One-Day Pass with a special Inauguration design is currently being sold for $10 online or $7.80 at Metro sales offices and fare vending machines.  The cost of the passes will be $10 at all sales locations on Jan. 20.  People should purchase their farecards, One-Day Passes or SmarTrip cards in advance of Inauguration Day if possible to avoid the lines.
 
Metro has about 60,000 parking spaces in 29 lots and 22 garages throughout the Washington region for private motorists to park on Inauguration Day. Metro will charge $4 cash only for motorists as they pull in to park in its lots.  The Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station parking lot is closed to the public and is only available for Metro employees who will be working on Inauguration Day.
 
Metrobus will be operating on a modified Saturday schedule from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Inauguration Day. However, with street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade, all Metrobuses will be prepared for detours. Bus riders are encouraged to plan significant extra time to travel through these areas.
 
MetroAccess will operate identical hours to Metrorail and Metrobus during Inauguration Weekend and through Inauguration Day. MetroAccess customers are encouraged to plan significant extra time to travel due to increased traffic throughout the service area. Street closures around the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue for the Inauguration and parade on Inauguration Day will mean that MetroAccess vehicles will only be able to drop off customers several blocks from the Inauguration and parade route. MetroAccess vehicles will not be permitted access to streets that are closed. All MetroAccess users should be prepared for detours. MetroAccess customers must reserve their trips by 4:30 p.m. the day prior to travel.
 
Metro officials expect extremely crowded conditions on Inauguration Day. Metrorail stations and trains will be packed as people head to the Inauguration, and expect to see even tighter conditions afterward. Expect the crowds to be huge with hundreds of thousands of people expected to be in the nation's capital not only for Inauguration Day, but for the days preceding it as well.
 
Metro says more than 100 police officers from 14 transit agencies will help with security during the inauguration. They will be joined by federal law enforcement and local police departments.
 
Several hundred volunteers also will assist customers who are unfamiliar with Metro. They will hand out maps and help customers with fare machines.
 
To help alleviate crowding on trains, Metro will run 22 dedicated bus routes to downtown along major corridors in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
 
For fare information and additional details on Metro service in place for the Inauguration can be found at http://www.wmata.com/.
 
People planning to use Metro during the four days of Inaugural activities can sign up for special e-alerts on Metro’s Web site at file://www.wmata.com/inauguration. E-alerts will be issued when Metro has news relating to service for the Inauguration and when there may be service disruptions.
 
Charter Vehicles
 
Transportation and security planners anticipate up to 10,000 private buses carrying 500,000 participants to Washington, D.C., for the Inaugural events. DDOT has designated parking zones for buses throughout the metro area.  From these areas, riders will be able to walk, take Metro or, in limited cases, take shuttle buses to the Inaugural events.  Charter buses will not be able to park and/or drop off passengers at any Metro station in Washington D.C., Virginia, or Maryland.
 
All those who plan to travel the District of Columbia during Inauguration Week via chartered buses, motor carriers, etc., must obtain a Trip Permit from the District Department of Motor Vehicles and must sign up for a parking pass at designated parking sites.
 
Registration for permit and parking for charter buses must be completed no later than Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. No registrations will be accepted after this date. Additional information and registration is available at www.bus.dc.gov.
 
Water Taxis Available
 
The U.S. Coast Guard said it has approved water taxi service from Virginia to D.C. on Inauguration Day.
 
The Inaugural Water Taxi will be provided by the Potomac Riverboat Co., for $90 roundtrip or $50 one way. The taxi will depart from the Alexandria City Marina at Union and Cameron streets in Old Town Alexandria and arrive at the Southwest Waterfront's Pier 4, at 600 Water St. in D.C.
 
Officials said passengers will disembark one mile from the National Mall and the nearest entrance for ticket-holders to President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony.
 
Timed tickets go on sale Monday at www.inauguralwatertaxi.com.
 
MARC
 
  • 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 Bus
 

 

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
 
  • 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

 
Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Amtrak are primary transportation choices for travel from Virginia to Washington, D.C., on Inauguration Day. VRE will begin routes into Washington at 5:05 a.m. and route out of the city at 1:30 p.m. Tickets were available in advance by mail order but both the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines are sold out. Amrtak's trains from Virginia to D.C. are sold out, but that is subject to reservations changing. For more information on Metrorail and VRE access and availability, visit their Web sites at http://www.wmata.com/ and http://www.vre.org/.
 
Currently, Amtrak trains from Virginia to Washington, DC that will serve the Inauguration Day events are sold out. However, tickets may become available as reservations change. Visit Amtrak’s Web site at http://www.amtrak.com/ for information on ticket availability.
 
The Commonwealth is also working with Virginia transit operators to finalize plans for bus service. Details will be available soon.
 
Loudoun County commuter buses will have a special Inauguration Day schedule with free service to the West Falls Church Metro Station.
 
All Fairfax Connector passengers will get free rides on Inauguration Day. Officials are urging people to park for free at Fairfax County Park and Ride lots and take the Fairfax Connector to a Metrorail station. The Fairfax Connector will operate on an enhanced Saturday schedule with more trips, additional routes and service from 4 a.m. until midnight.
 
The following Metrorail stations will get enhanced Connector service:
 
  • 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
 
Also, Connector Routes 574, 605 and RIBS 1, 2, 3 and 4, which all transfer to buses that serve Metro stations, will operate on Jan. 20.
 
These Park and Rides service Metrorail stations in Fairfax County:
 
  • 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
Online Information
 
Additional information is available online for residents of the District, Virginia and Maryland, as well as charter operators, through the following websites:
 

Getting Around the Mall by Foot or Bike

For those people who will be staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Walking routes will also be impacted by street closures – be sure to make a plan based on up to date information http://inauguration.dc.gov/getting_there.asp.

Pedestrian Routes
 
The following access points have been identified as pedestrian-only routes to the National Mall:
 
  • 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
The following access points have been identified as pedestrian-only routes to the Inaugural Parade:
 
  • 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
Bicycle Parking
 
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) will operate two, free bike valet stations outside the security perimeter near the swearing-in ceremonies and parade route.
 
Bicycles will be prohibited within the security perimeter on January 20, 2009, WABA has information and planning tools on their website: http://www.waba.org/events/inauguralbikevalet.php.   
 

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

 
Access into D.C. will be limited on Tuesday.  The following is a summary of routes and their status that day:
 
  • 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.
Authorized vehicles include taxicabs and limousines with valid licenses.
 
Washington, D.C. Vehicular Restrictions
 
Vehicle Restricted Zone: Vehicular road closures in Washington, D.C. will be instituted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police. Extensive road closures and vehicle restricted zones will be established in Washington, D.C.  Beginning at 3 p.m. on Monday, January 19, through 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, all of the following areas will be posted as Emergency No Parking.  From 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, many of these areas will be posted by law enforcement personnel and vehicular traffic will be limited to residents with government issued identification (driver’s license) or vehicle registration showing 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 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
 
Vehicular Road Closures: In addition to above listed Emergency No Parking and vehicle restricted areas, from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 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 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
 
Capitol Hill: Road closures on Capitol Hill will be instituted by the U.S. Capitol Police in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department. Access to the perimeter will be restricted to properly authorized and credentialed personnel only. No public parking will be provided. The following street closures will go into effect starting at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, 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
 
Streets will reopen once the parade concludes at 5 p.m.
 
Charter Bus Parking Zones: Tour bus parking is available at RFK Stadium and designated zones within the District.  Specific zones and road closures are posted on the District’s Inauguration web site at http://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. Generally, 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
Virginia Vehicular Restrictions
 
All vehicular road restrictions will be coordinated between the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions.  On Jan. 20, personal vehicles will not be permitted into Washington, D.C., from Virginia.
  
  • 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.

 

I-66, Dulles Toll Road and Dulles Connector Road HOV Schedule
 
  • 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.
 
I-95/395 HOV Schedule
 
  • 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 following vehicular road closures will be coordinated by the U.S. Park Police. 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 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.

  

Road and Bridge Restrictions
 
Beginning at 2 a.m. Jan. 20, personal vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickups, vans, etc.) will not be allowed to enter Washington from Virginia. Those driving are encouraged to seek out public transportation to access the District on Inauguration Day. (See Public Transit Resources for more information). Personal vehicles will only be able to enter Washington by driving in from designated Maryland routes.
 
Beginning at 3 a.m. Jan. 20, only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis, and for-hire limos and car services – will be permitted to travel northbound on Interstate 395 and eastbound on Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway/I-495. Buses include transit and commuter buses, chart and tour buses, school buses, church buses, airport and hotel buses, and cutaways and large vans -- any passenger transport vehicle designed to seat 16 or more including the driver. All other traffic heading to Washington on Interstate 95 will be diverted at the Springfield interchange (Exits 170B and 170C) onto I-495 North (Inner Loop) or I-495/I-95 East (Outer Loop). All general traffic traveling eastbound on I-66 and toward Washington on the Dulles Toll Road will also be diverted to the Capital Beltway/I-495. 
 
Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to cross the 14th Street Bridge, Roosevelt Bridge and Key Bridge, all of which lead from Virginia into Washington, D.C.
 
Security and transportation officials said pedestrians will now be allowed to use all bridges from Virginia into D.C. on Inauguration Day.  An earlier plan allowed pedestrians to use the Memorial and Chain bridges. Now, they can run, walk, bike or Segway across the Key, 14th Street and Roosevelt bridges, as long as they remain in the walk/bike paths and on sidewalks, officials say.
 
To augment patrols and expedite emergency response along Interstates 95, 66 and 495, Virginia State Police will be bringing in several hundred troopers from around the state to the Northern Virginia region.  Increases in manpower and resources will begin Monday, Jan. 19, and continue through Wednesday, Jan. 21.
  
For the latest traffic news, maps and cameras, click here.
 

What Not to Bring

 
You’ll probably need to plan at least two meals ahead if you're going down to the inauguration because the chances that you’re going to get a spot for the parade or hang on the Mall, then go back to your apartment or hotel room for lunch, and then later re-assume your place in history are nil. So you gotta pack lunch and water and snacks. According to the Washington Post Web site, you can’t carry any large bags or backpacks, at least for the parade route.

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:

  • firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated)
  • explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
  • laser pointers
  • 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

     

    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:

     

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