WASHINGTON — Road closures in downtown D.C. will begin as early as 7 p.m. Friday and continue through the weekend for the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“Motorists traveling in the area of this event may experience delays and should consider alternative routes, if possible,” the Metropolitan Police Department website advises.
Closures 7 p.m. Friday to about 10 p.m. Sunday:
- 15th Street in Northwest between Constitution Avenue in Northwest and Maine Avenue in Southwest.
- Madison Drive in Northwest between Seventh Street in Northwest to 15th Street in Northwest.
- Jefferson Drive in Southwest from Seventh Street in Southwest to 15th Street in Southwest.
Weekend closures of Constitution Avenue in Northwest:
- Saturday all day in both directions between 12th and 18th streets.
- Sunday in both directions from 6 a.m. to about 10 p.m. from 14th street to 18th street.
Here is the full list of road closures and parking restrictions.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Thursday encouraged visitor to consider public transit to ease traffic congestion in the area.
- Metro: All visitors to the National Mall are encouraged to use Metro and the nearest stops to the museum are Smithsonian and Federal Triangle (Orange, Blue and Silver lines). Metro’s SafeTrack project is not expected to have an impact on this event. Metro also promises to be crowded Saturday and not just with people going to the museum opening.
- DC Circulator: The DC Circulator will offer a special modified service on its National Mall route between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. to accommodate. Read more on the Circulator’s website.
- Bikeshare: There will be a Capital Bikeshare corral at Constitution Avenue and 10th Street between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.
All the free, timed entry passes into the museum have been distributed for the next month. At last check, the first availability to get into the museum was Nov. 9.
A series of events happening Saturday in or near downtown D.C. includes the Library of Congress National Book Festival, Museum Day sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine, Old Ebbitt Grill’s Craft BrewHaHa and the D.C. VegFest.
