WASHINGTON – WTOP will be following Monday’s inaugural events as they unfold, with up-to-the-minute information on what is happening and how it could affect you.
We’ll be following traffic, public transit and road closures as they happen to help you get around town. Make sure to check back frequently for the most useful information.
Not braving D.C. to see the events firsthand? We’ve got you covered. Click here to follow a live blog of the days events in real-time.
For frequently asked questions, check out WTOP’s Inauguration Day survival guide.
Forecast:
The chilly day began with temps hovering around 30 degrees. The sun was expected to warm things up into the 40s through the morning.
But an arctic chill will begin moving into the area this afternoon when temperatures are expected to begin dropping. A possible snow flurry could come late into the afternoon followed by cold, blustery winds.
Temperatures will steadily drop beginning at 5 p.m., along with cold gusts of wind. It will feel like it’s in the high teens overnight.
Traffic, Transit and Parking:
7:18 p.m.:
All street closures remain in effect in and around Downtown D.C. That includes the 3rd Street, 12th Street and 9th Street tunnel closures.
Archives and Smithsonian Metro stations have reopened completely and are operating normally.
6:45 p.m.:
Heading to the Convention Center for the official inaugural balls tonight? Metro suggests using the Gallery Place station. Then walk four blocks north along 7th Street to M Street.
The Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center station is closed today.
Metro rush hour service continues until 9 p.m. tonight. Closing time is 2 a.m.
In Springfield, Va., there is still a line of cars waiting to get out of the Franconia-Springfield garage, according to WTOP’s Hank Silverberg.
However, Fairfax County police say that the backups there have cleared.
ONGOING: Metro reminds parkers that the one-day pass does not include parking. Add money to your SmarTrip card at the station or pay with a credit card at the garage.
5:52 p.m.:
Fairfax County police say that officers are on scene at Frontier Drive. The backup was due to people paying to get out of the garage.
Gallery Place has smaller than normal crowds now.
Metro riders wearing tuxes, gowns and uniforms are starting to filter in.
5:20 p.m.: Metro reports about 538,000 riders have traveled on the Metrorail system today. That’s about two-thirds of the 807,000 trips as of the same time on Inauguration Day 2009.
Reminder to motorists: 3rd Street, 9th Street, and 12th Street tunnels remain closed.
5:05 p.m.:
Fairfax County motorcycle police are en route to the traffic back ups on Frontier Road near the Franconia-Springfield Metro station.
Motorists stuck in the traffic say they’ve been waiting for more than an hour.
D.C. Police report that all major roadways and bridges in the area are running smoothly.
ONGOING: Metro reminds parkers that the one-day pass does not include parking. Add money to your SmarTrip card at the station or pay with a credit card at the garage.
4:41 p.m.:
Metro Center station is crowded on the Red line, but less so on the Blue and Orange lines as the parade winds down, according to WTOP’S Hank Silverberg.
Traffic is backed up along Frontier Road near Metro’s Franconia-Springfield station.
4:34 p.m.: Now that the president and Mrs. Obama have made it to their viewing stand, many are leaving the parade route. Let the rush home begin — take two.
And for those leaving early, WTOP’s Megan Cloherty reports that Farragut North Metro station is still jammed.
Metro reminds parkers that the one-day pass does not include parking. Add money to your SmarTrip card at the station or pay with a credit card at the garage.
3:30 p.m.:
Metro reports that delays along the Orange, Blue and Red lines have cleared.
WTOP’s Megan Cloherty reports that Farragut North is still very packed outside.
3:02 p.m.:
Metro Center station is now open to Metro passengers.
Foggy Bottom, Federal Center SW and L’Enfant Plaza stations have also re-opened.
ONGOING: Expect ongoing delays along Blue and Orange lines headed toward Virginia A train was disabled earlier due to a medical emergency outside of Rosslyn but has cleared.
2:54 p.m.:
The Smithsonian Metro station on the National Mall will reopen at 3 p.m. Use the 12th and Independence Avenue entrance.
Riders will only be able to board trains. No trains will unload passengers at the station.
2:36 p.m.:
L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW and Foggy Bottom stations reopen. Metro Center remains closed.
Single-tracking along the Orange and Blue lines has ended but expect residual delays heading into Virginia.
Maryland Beltway ramps to the Greenbelt Metro station have re-opened.
2:25 p.m.:
Avoid lines at the 4th Street Judiciary Square entrance by walking to the other side. WTOP’s Max Smith reports there is no line.
2:20 p.m.:
Foggy Bottom and Metro Center Metro stations are now closed due to overcrowding.
Use the Yellow line as an alternate route to Blue line stations in Virginia from L’Enfant Plaza. (Of course, that’s if you managed to get into L’Enfant Plaza before it closed.)
ONGOING: Significant delays along the Blue and Orange lines toward Virginia. Also, L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Center SW remain closed.
2:10 p.m.:
Thick crowds and long lines of parade-goers are reported at 12th and E streets.
2:08 p.m.:
Don’t forget to load enough money onto your SmarTrip card to pay for parking. Commemorative passes cannot be used to pay for parking unless you add value to them.
Credit cards are accepted to pay for parking at Metro garages and lots.
2:00 p.m.:
L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Center SW Metro stations are closed because of overcrowding.
Riders should walk to Federal Triangle as an alternative to Federal Center.
1:57 p.m.:
Crowds are gathering at the 14th Street security checkpoint to enter the parade route.
1:46 p.m.:
Blue and Orange lines: Metro outbound trains headed toward Vienna and Franconia-Springfield are delayed due to a disabled train outside of Rosslyn. Metro suggests delaying your trip.
1:43 p.m.:
Metro suggests riders choose their station carefully to avoid transfers.
1:32 p.m.:
L’Enfant Plaza Metro station continues to experience heavy crowds at 7th and Maryland Avenue. Metro suggests using a different entrance or delaying your return trip.
1:25 p.m.:
The problems on the Red and Orange line have been solved, Metro says. However, high volume is causing lines at Judiciary Square. It’s recommended you use Farragut North instead.
1:00 p.m.:
Heavy crowds and some lines are being reported at Metro stations around the Mall. Metro suggests walking to a station on the same line as where you’re parking to avoid transferring.
12:50 p.m.:
Reminder: Everyone leaving the Mall needs to exit north onto Constitution and continue west to the left.
At L’Enfant Plaza: 7th and Maryland entrance is experiencing heavy crowds. Use other entrances or delay your return to the station.
12:45 p.m.:
The long trek begins for everyone who is leaving after the ceremony, those who are headed to the parade and those who are stationed on the parade route waiting for the show.
Traffic remains holiday-like on the major roadways, but some delays have been reported on Metro.
Expect some delays on the Red line toward Glenmont and the Orange line toward New Carollton, due to a signal problem, Metro says.
12:20 p.m.:
Red Line: Expect delays to Glenmont due to a track problem outside Van Ness.
Metro says it is preparing for increased use as swearing in events come to an end.
11:40 a.m.:
When you leave the Mall, you must head exit north to Constitution Avenue and west (left) along Constitution Avenue. Once you leave, you can’t get back in.
11:35 a.m.:
The National Mall is now full and closed. All visitors not on the Mall should head to the overflow area at the Washington Monument.
11:30 a.m.:
At the Orange Gate at 1st and Louisiana is moving again. There are still long lines. The delay was due to a motorcade moving through the area.
National Mall from 4th to 12th streets are now closed. Visitors should re-route to Washington Monument. The screen is on for viewing of ceremony.
L’Enfant Plaza Metro station is now open after being temporarily closed due to overcrowding.
Parking lots are full at the following Metro stations: East Falls Church, Fort Totten, Van Dorn, Rhode Island Ave, Franconia-Sprfld and Greenbelt.
Parking lots are 90 percent full at Dunn Loring, Branch Avenue, West Falls Church and Largo.
10:55 a.m.:
WTOP is getting reports of problems at Orange Gate at 1st Street and Louisiana NW, people are reporting they’ve been waiting for some time to enter the National Mall for the swearing in. We’re making calls to find out what’s happening.
Congestion and crowding at Federal Center Metro station has eased considerably as of 10:45 a.m., Metro reports.
Parade route security is backed up at 7th and D Street and 7th and Indiana, says the Secret Service.
At the request of Secret Service, Metro is closing the exit at 7th and D from L’Enfant.
Parade route security is open and clear at 10th, 12th, 13th and E streets.
10:40 a.m.:
Metro says crowds continue to be heavy at Federal Center Metro station. Use L’Enfant instead.
All other stations are operating smoothly.
As of 10 a.m.m, 266,000 people had entered the Metro system, about half as many as the same time four years ago.
10 a.m.:
Nearly 200,000 people have used Metro Monday morning, about half as many as in the same period for Obama’s first inauguration in 2009.
Seven Metro station parking lots have reached capacity: Greenbelt, Vienna south lot, Rhode Island Avenue, Franconia-Springfield, East Falls Church, Fort Totten and Van Dorn.
Two others are nearing full capacity, Metro says: Shady Grove and the rest of Vienna.
At Federal Center SW Metro station, it’s ‘exit’ only. No one can get in there due to overcrowding. Added, trains are bypassing the station intermittently due to crowding, says Metro.
Crowding has been reported at Judiciary Square, as well.
Non-ticketed, public viewing areas on the National Mall east of 7th Street are now full and closed.
If you are heading to the Mall, you can still get a spot from 9th and Constitution, 12th and Constitution and 12th and Independence.
ONGOING: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
Metro reminds bus riders that because of street closures, there may be Metrobus delays and detours, so plan accordingly.
Stay safe: Once on board, move the center of the Metro train to allow others to board. Also, Metro doors are not like elevator doors – they do not open if you stick your hand in, so don’t do that.
9:35 a.m.:
Non-ticketed, public viewing areas on the National Mall east of 7th Street are now full and closed.
If you are heading to the Mall, you can still get a spot from 9th and Constitution, 12th and Constitution and 12th and Independence.
At Federal Center SW Metro station, it’s ‘exit’ only. No one can get in there due to overcrowding.
ONGOING: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
Metro reminds bus riders that because of street closures, there may be Metrobus delays and detours, so plan accordingly.
Stay safe: Once on board, move the center of the Metro train to allow others to board. Also, Metro doors are not like elevator doors – they do not open if you stick your hand in, so don’t do that.
9:20 a.m.:
7 Metro station parking lots full at this time: Greenbelt, Vienna south lot, Rhode Island Avenue, Franconia-Springfield, East Falls Church, Fort Totten and Van Dorn.
Trains are bypassing Federal Center SW due to crowded platforms. Officials remind travelers this station should ONLY be used by people with inauguration tickets.
Crowding has been reported at Judiciary Square, as well.
Folks are still filing through security checkpoints on the parade route, but lines are backing up at 12th and E Street NW, north of Pennsylvania Ave. 10th and E Street NW has a shorter line, according to the Secret Service.
ONGOING: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
On some Metro lines, standing room only is reported. Usually the first and last cars have the most open space.
Metro reminds bus riders that because of street closures, there may be Metrobus delays and detours, so plan accordingly.
Stay safe: Once on board, move the center of the Metro train to allow others to board. Also, Metro doors are not like elevator doors – they do not open if you stick your hand in, so don’t do that.
No HOV enforcement on 66 today.
Some reports have come in that wireless service may be difficult on the National Mall.
8:45 a.m.:
Metro trains are currently bypassing Federal Center SW due to crowded platforms. A reminder: This station should ONLY be used by people with inauguration tickets.
Also, no HOV enforcement on 66 today.
Crowds are nothing like they were four years ago, officials say. There is still a lot of room along the parade route.
Some reports coming in that wireless use is becoming difficult on the Mall.
8:35 a.m.:
5 Metro station parking lots full at this time:
Metro says the parking lots at Rhode Island Avenue and Franconia-Springfield are both full.
Also full, the parking lots at East Falls Church, Fort Totten and Van Dorn.
Federal Center and Judiciary Square stations are both extremely crowded and Metro says to avoid using these stations if possible.
ONGOING: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
On some Metro lines, standing room only is reported. Usually the first and last cars have the most open space.
8:20 a.m.:
The following Metro stations have reached full parking capacity: East Falls Church, Fort Totten and Van Dorn.
End-of-line station parking lots are filling up, a Metro spokesperson says.
Platform crowding has been reported at Federal Center and Judiciary Square and a Metro spokesman says folks should avoid those stations if possible.
As of 8 a.m., 113,000 people have entered the Metro system.
Lines are slow at security checkpoints, but moving.
ONGOING: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
On some lines, standing room only is reported. Usually the first and last cars have the most open space.
There is still plenty of room on the National Mall, but crowds are beginning to move in.
8 a.m.:
Warning to Metro riders: Escalators have been shut down in many of the busier stations to help with crowd control.
Parking is still available at many end-of-line stations, although traffic getting in is beginning to thicken.
Metro parking lots nearly full: Van Dorn, East Falls Church and Fort Totten.
The major roads are clear driving in, but reports coming in that there is little to no parking downtown, so officials continue to advise Metro is the best bet.
On some lines, standing room only is reported. Usually the first and last cars have the most open space.
There is still plenty of room on the National Mall, but crowds are beginning to move in.
7:45 a.m.:
Metro requests only customers with Inaugural tickets use the Federal Center SW station due extremely heavy traffic.
Metro tip: Front and rear cars tend to be the least crowded.
Metro says parking lots at end-of-line stations are still open and not at full capacity. However, traffic entering these lots is slow.
7:30 a.m.:
No Metro lots are full at this point, although all end-of-line station lots are about 70 percent near capacity, save Glenmont and Huntington, which are not quite 50 percent full.
Metro says 89,000 riders have used the service so far.
7:20 a.m.:
Metro says parking at most end-of-line stations is about 70 percent full, except Glenmont and Huntington, which are about 40 percent capacity.
6:50 a.m.:
Greenbelt Metro station is about 75 percent full, traffic in the lots is increasing as well as volume driving into the lots.
Reports continue to come in of long lines at security checkpoints.
6:15 a.m.:
Metro parking update: Vienna, Franconia-Springfield, Shady Grove, Greenbelt and New Carrollton now about 40 percent full.
Largo, Branch Av, Huntington at about 25 percent.
6:10 a.m.:
Escalators at certain busy Metro stations will be intentionally stopped on Monday for crowd control, says Metro’s Dan Stessel. Metro Center and L’Enfant are among them.
6 a.m.:
Metro’s Dan Stessel says Metro ridership is about half has busy as compared to this time four years ago.
5:30 a.m.:
Hours before Inauguration Day dawns, the city is alive with large groups of people seen headed to Metro stations across the area. WTOP reporter Neal Augenstein says a line has formed at the Vienna Metro station by 5 a.m.
Escalators reported down at Metro Center and Gallery Place are back up and running.
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