WASHINGTON — The District’s Emancipation Day holiday on Monday means some roads that typically reverse at rush hour will not, which can lead to confusion and danger for drivers who commute on autopilot.
Connecticut Avenue NW and 16th Street NW will stay in weekend mode all day, with no rush-hour lane reversals. The District Department of Transportation warns that could lead to unusual rush-hour delays.
On Canal Road NW and Independence Avenue SE/SW, the District will implement reversible lanes as usual at rush hour Monday.
Since the federal government is open, the National Park Service will run normal rush-hour lane reversals on Rock Creek Parkway.
There are no changes for HOV restrictions or other rules in Maryland or Virginia Monday, and Metro is scheduled to run regular weekday service.
Parking meters, residential parking rules, street sweeping and rush-hour parking restrictions are not enforced in the District on Emancipation Day, the Department of Public Works said.
The District also does not collect trash or recycling on the holiday.
The holiday also pushes back the federal tax filing deadline to April 17 again this year since April 15 fell on a weekend.
D.C. Emancipation Day marks the date in 1862 that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act into law, ending slave-ownership in the District and paying slave owners for that.
On Saturday, the city held an early parade and fireworks celebration along Pennsylvania Avenue NW near Freedom Plaza.
