Road closures, traffic plans for grand opening of the new African American History Museum
WASHINGTON - District officials have revealed new details about the traffic plan for the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
It is a detailed plan, but the main message is: leave your car at home! Road closures will block off just about everywhere surrounding the new museum.
According to a release from Mayor Bowser, traffic control officers and safety technicians will be deployed at key intersections around the museum to support pedestrian and vehicular traffic for the dedication ceremony and opening of the facility. DDOT's traffic management center will be out on the site to monitor conditions and deploy staff to congested areas as needed.
On Saturday, the District will activate the Emergency Operations Center from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. in support of the dedication and associated events.
Attendees are urged to take public transportation if they plan on making their way down to the National Mall. The nearest Metro stops to the museum are Smithsonian and Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines).
Important links and information:
Click here for the full list of road closures and detours during the dedication ceremony and grand opening
The D.C. Circulator will be offering a modified service plan on Saturday and Sunday, the stops are listed below:
Saturday 7 am to 2 pm
Union Station (on E Street NE at Columbus Circle)
Independence Avenue at 4th Street SW
Independence Avenue at 6th Street SW
Independence Avenue at 12th Street SW
Saturday 2 pm to 8 pm and Sunday 9 am to 8 pm (Museum Loop)
Union Station (on E Street NE at Columbus Circle)
Madison Drive at 4th Street NW
Madison Drive at 7th Street NW
Madison Drive at 12th Street NW
Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW
Jefferson Drive at 7th Street SW
3rd Street NW near Madison Drive NW
The National Mall route will serve only the museum loop after 2 pm on Saturday and all day Sunday because of road closures.
Street Closures around the museum will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday evening and continue until approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday. A complete list of closures goes as follows:
Constitution Avenue will be closed from 12th Street NW to 18th Street NW in both directions
All eastbound traffic will be diverted to northbound 18th Street NW from Constitution Avenue NW
All southbound traffic on 17th Street NW will be diverted to westbound Constitution Avenue NW
All westbound traffic will be diverted to northbound 12th Street NW from Constitution Avenue NW
NOTE: The 12th Street tunnel will remain open during this time period
15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Maine Avenue SW 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
NOTE: Access to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center will be via 13½ Street NW during this time period
Madison Drive NW from Seventh Street NW to 15th Street NW
Jefferson Drive SW from Seventh Street SW to 15th Street SW
These closures will be in effect beginning Saturday, September 24. Major traffic disruption is expected to begin Friday, September 23 at 7 pm and last through Saturday, September 24 until approximately 5 pm.
The following closures will continue from 7 pm Friday, September 23 until approximately 10 pm on Sunday, September 25:
15th Street from Constitution Avenue NW to Maine Avenue SW
Madison Drive NW from Seventh Street NW to 15th Street NW
Jefferson Drive SW from Seventh Street SW to 15th Street SW
The following closures will be in effect from 6 am Sunday, September 25 until approximately 10 pm on Sunday, September 25:
Constitution Avenue will be closed from 14th Street NW to 18th Street NW in both directions
15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Maine Avenue SW
All eastbound traffic will be diverted to northbound 18th Street NW from Constitution Avenue NW
All southbound traffic on 17th Street NW will be diverted to westbound Constitution Avenue NW
Officials have also noted that due to the closures, there will be no public or bus parking near the museum for the dedication ceremony. Metro has also announces limited-edition Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture SmarTrip commemorative cards. Click here to learn more.