Dear Neighbors,
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the 59th Presidential Inauguration and officially welcome President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to the District.
During this exciting time, I am honored to serve as your Councilmember. I will be proudly watching from home during this significant moment in history as the President and Vice President, the first woman and the first Black and Indian American to hold this position, take the Oath of Office. I ask that you join me in watching the Inauguration virtually and avoid the downtown area due to the ongoing public health emergency and security concerns.
For additional details about tomorrow's events, and to watch the live stream of the inauguration, visit https://bideninaugural.org/watch/.
Amidst the anticipation of tomorrow, I know that the events of January 6th have frightened our community and raised significant concerns about personal and public safety. National Guardsmen are deployed across the District and road blocks have made navigating Downtown difficult. I know this is a difficult time for our businesses and residents and I thank everyone for their resilience, understanding, and generosity during this challenging time. The outpouring of support from Ward 2 restaurants like Penn Quarter Sports Tavern and Chef Jose Andres is inspiring to us all.
There is additional information below regarding federal and local efforts to keep residents safe, including a comprehensive list of road closures. Today, I joined Mayor Bowser, MPD and DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency for a press conference to review the measures that have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents in Ward 2 and across the District. You can watch the press conference here.
Please be sure to share this information with your families, friends, and neighbors. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact our office. At this time, we are receiving an unprecedented number of calls and emails, and ask that you submit a request at www.brookepintodc.com/help. If you need immediate assistance, please call 311. We are working to provide responses to all inquiries as quickly as possible.
Yours in Service,
Brooke
How to Receive Email and Text Alerts
The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) will provide public safety, public transit, road closure, and weather alerts during inauguration week via text. To sign up, text INAUG2021 to 888-777. You can also click here to receive these inauguration updates from HSEMA via email.
For information regarding traffic updates, public security, city services, weather advisories, and more, visit https://inauguration.dc.gov.
To register for important updates from the District government, sign up for AlertDC at https://alertdc.dc.gov.
The Current State of Emergency and Security Measures
The Mayor’s request that the President declare a pre-Emergency Declaration for the District of Columbia has been granted. This is necessary because this Inauguration poses several unprecedented challenges that exceed the scope of our traditional planning processes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 domestic terror attack on the United States Capitol.
The U.S. Secret Service is leading coordination of security for the US Capitol during the inauguration. The priority for this coordination is the protection of the incoming President, Vice President and all federal property.
Up to 20,000 troops from the National Guard are on-call and available for deployment, many of whom are already stationed at the US Capitol.
The presence of the National Guard will ensure the Metropolitan Police Department is able to focus on its local mission in the District’s eight wards. MPD will have their entire sworn officer force activated and working 12-hour shifts with one day off until after the inauguration. It is my understanding MPD and the members of the National Guard will be the primary responders to any issues in DC neighborhoods.
If you see or hear something suspicious, please say something. Let’s all help to keep one another safe. For emergencies, please call 911. You can also send an anonymous message to MPD by texting 50411.
Road Closures and Public Access
Access into Washington, D.C. will be limited Jan. 16-21. The following is a comprehensive map and summary of routes and their status that day:
Download a pdf of the 2021 Inauguration Map.
All vehicle checkpoints are for authorized vehicles only.
2021 Inaugural Road & Bridge Closures
- 14th Street Non-HOV Bridge and I-395 – No north bound traffic, entering the city. Southbound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city. Effective Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 6 a.m.
- 14th Street Bridge HOV (North and South) – Remains open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- Theodore Roosevelt Bridge – No eastbound traffic, entering the city. Westbound traffic will flow normally leaving the city. Effective Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Traffic will be diverted north on Potomac Freeway.
- Memorial Bridge – All access to close Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- Key Bridge – Remains open with no access to Whitehurst Freeway and no right turn permitted on M St. All traffic must turn left on Canal Road.
- Chain Bridge – Open to all traffic.
- South Capitol Street Bridge on the 295 side – No northbound traffic, entering the city. Southbound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city. Effective Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Closed.
- Potomac River Freeway – Open northbound, closed southbound from Jan. 16 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Access to Theodore Roosevelt Bridge remains open.
- Rock Creek Parkway at Ohio Drive – Closed.
- 11th Street Bridges – Remain open to all traffic until Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m. Following closure, northbound traffic will be closed (except for local residents and credentialed bus traffic only) and southbound traffic will remain open.
- 695 Bridge/Southeast Freeway – No northbound traffic, entering the city. Southbound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city. Effective Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- Sousa Bridge – No northbound traffic, entering the city. Southbound traffic will flow normally, leaving the city. Effective Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- 3rd Street Tunnel – Remains open with all exits closed. The tunnel will close Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. through Jan. 21 at 6 a.m.
- 9th Street Tunnel – Closed to all traffic.
- 12th Street Tunnel – Closed to all traffic.
- E Street Tunnel – Closed from Potomac River Freeway northbound and southbound.
- Independence Ave/Maine Ave from 12th Street, SW to Memorial Bridge – Closed to all traffic.
Additional Road Closures
- 10th St NW from F St NW to Constitution Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 11th St NW from F St NW to Pennsylvania Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 12th St NW from F St NW to C St SW (Red Zone)
- 13th St NW from Pennsylvania Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 13th St NW from K St NW to Pennsylvania Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 14th St NW from K St NW to C St SW (Red Zone)
- 15th St NW from K St NW to Independence Ave SW (Red Zone)
- Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW from 15th St. SW to Maine Ave. SW
- 16th St NW from K St NW to H St NW (Red Zone)
- 17th St NW from N St NW to K St. NW
- 17th St NW from N St NW to Independence Ave SW (Red Zone)
- Rhode Island Ave. NW from Bataan St. NW to N St.
- Rhode Island Ave. NW from Bataan to Connecticut Ave. NW
- M St. from 18th St. NW to Connecticut Ave. NW
- M. St. from 18th St. NW to 17th St. NW
- Connecticut Ave. NW from Jefferson Pl NW to K St. NW
- DeSales St. NW from Connecticut Ave. NW to 17th St. NW
- L St. NW from 17th St. NW from 16th St. NW
- 17th St. NW/Connecticut Ave from K St. NW to H St. NW
- 17th St. NW from H St. to Independence Ave.
- 18th St NW from K St NW to Constitution Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 19th St NW from K St NW to Constitution Ave NW (Red Zone)
- 1st St NW from D St NW to Constitution Ave. NW
- 1st St. NE/SE from Mass. Ave to North Carolina Ave. SE
- 2nd St SW from Washington Ave SW to E St SW
- 3rd St NW/SW from Mass. Ave/H St. NW to E St SW
- 4th St NW from H St NW to D St NW
- 4th St NW from Pennsylvania Ave NW to C St. SW
- 5th St NW from H St. NW to D St. NW
- 6th St NW from G St NW to Constitution Ave NW
- 6th St. SW from Independence Ave. SW to C St. SW
- 7th St NW from F St NW to C St. SW
- 8th St NW from F St to D St NW
- 9th St NW from F St NW to Capitol Square Pl SW
- C St NW from 19th St NW to 17th St NW
- C St NW from 6th St NW to 3rd St NW
- C St. SW from 14th SW to 12th SW
- C St. SW from 6th St. SW to 2nd St. SE
- C St SW from 14th St SW to 2nd St SW/SE
- Constitution Ave NW from 23rd St NW to 2nd St. NE
- D St NW from 18th St NW to 17th St NW
- D St NW/NE from 9th St NW to 2nd St. NE
- D St SW from 4th St SW to 1st St. SE
- Daniel French Dr NW from Lincoln Memorial Circle NW to Independence Ave NW
- E St NW from 19th St NW/E St Expy to 3rd St NW
- F St NW from 15th St NW to 12th St. NW
- F St. NW to 6th St. NW to 3rd St. NW
- F St NW from 19th St NW to 17th St NW
- F St NW from New Jersey Ave NW to N Capitol St NW
- G St NW from 15th St NW to 12th St NW
- G St NW from 19th St NW to 17th St NW
- G St NW from 6th St NW to 3rd St NW
- H St NW from 19th St NW to 12th St NW
- Henry Bacon Dr NW from Lincoln Memorial Circle NW to Constitution Ave NW
- Home Front Dr from 17th St NW to Independence Ave SW
- I St. NW from 19th NW to 12th St. NW
- Independence Ave SW from 17th St NW to Washington Ave SW
- Independence Ave. SW/Kutz Bridge from 23rd St NW to 15th St SW
- Independence Ave. SW from Ohio Dr. SW to 17th St. SW
- 23rd St. SW at Independence Ave. SW
- Indiana Ave NW from 7th St NW to D St NW
- Jefferson Dr SW from 15th St SW to 3rd St SW
- K St NW from 19th St NW to 12th St NW
- Louisiana Ave NW from Constitution Ave NW to Mass. Ave. NW
- Madison Dr NW from 15th St SW to 3rd St SW (Red Zone)
- Maine Ave SW from 12th St SW to Kutz Bridge
- New Jersey Ave SE from Independence Ave SE to E St SW (Red Zone)
- New York Ave NW from 15th St NW to 12th St NW (Red Zone)
- Ohio Drive SW from Ohio Dr. Bridge to Rock Creek Parkway (Red Zone)
- Pennsylvania Ave NW from 15th St NW to 3rd St NW (Red Zone)
- Pennsylvania Ave NW from 19th St to 15th St NW (Red Zone)
- Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW from Independence Ave SW to Maine Ave SW (Red Zone)
- S Capitol St SE from Independence Ave. SW to E St SE (Red Zone)
- Virginia Ave NW from 19th St NW to Constitution Ave NW (Red Zone)
- Washington Ave SW from Independence Ave SW to E St SW (Red Zone)
- Washington Ave SW from Independence Ave SW to S Capitol St SE (Red Zone)
Please note that most parking garages in Downtown DC will be closed starting today, Jan. 15, 2021 at 6:00 am.
You can also click here to follow @DCPoliceTraffic on Twitter for minute-to-minute updates on road closures citywide.
Public Transit
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has announced major adjustments to service during the period Friday, January 15, through Thursday, January 21. This includes the closure of 13 metro stations and the detouring of more than 26 bus lines. A weekend schedule will also be implemented on certain days.
Click here to see WMATA’s latest 2021 Inauguration Service Information.
You may also follow WMATA on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram for the latest updates.
DC Streetcar
DC Streetcar service is suspended immediately until further notice. For the latest information about service, please visit dcstreetcar.com.
Capital Bikeshare
Capital Bikeshare stations around the National Mall, Capitol Hill and Union Station will be unavailable until further notice.
Have Information Regarding the Recent Attack on the United States Capitol Building?
MPD seeks assistance in identifying persons of interest in reference to criminal offenses related to unrest at the US Capitol that occurred on January 6th.
If you have information you can call (202) 727-9099 or send an anonymous tip to 50411. Text, photo and video messages are monitored by members of the department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips on serious or violent crimes will be investigated by members of the department. If you would like a police response for any incident, please call 911
In addition, the FBI is seeking assistance in locating and identifying a suspect responsible for the pipe bombs found in DC on January 6th. Reward of up to $50k. If you have information you can call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit http://fbi.gov/USCapitol.