Inaugural chaos: Three bridges to close

The Secret Service on Wednesday announced unprecedented security measures for the presidential inauguration, saying it will shut down all bridge crossings from Virginia into the District and establish a security perimeter that closes or limits vehicular access on 100 city streets.

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John B. Townsend II predicted the bridge closings will overburden entry points to the city through Maryland and create gridlock throughout the metropolitan area.

“It’s overkill,” he said. “It totally cuts off access from Virginia. This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard of in my life. It just doesn’t make sense.”

The unprecedented measures are intended to ensure security for the Jan. 20 swearing-in of Barack Obama, the country’s first black president - an event that is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors to Washington.

The Secret Service, which is leading the security effort, has enlisted the help of about 60 other agencies, including the National Guard and Metropolitan Police Department, which will double its staff of roughly 4,000 with officers from as far away as California.

The agency’s plan - crafted with the help of at least 10 other law-enforcement agencies including the Virginia State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation - also restricts flights over the region and provides for the Coast Guard to patrol along the Potomac River.

As Inauguration Day begins just after midnight, officials will restrict traffic on the Key, the 14th Street, and Roosevelt bridges to buses, taxis, limousines and official vehicles. The Memorial and Chain bridges will be open to pedestrians only.

Only authorized vehicles will be permitted to travel north on Interstate 395 and east on Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway.

“We urge motorists - whether traveling by bus, van or car - to plan their route well in advance, know which bridges and roads will be restricted and where they will park, … and prepare for long delays and a lot of walking,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police.

The first of the restrictions will take effect Jan. 19 in the District, when police will create a security perimeter around a 3.5-square-mile area that includes Capitol Hill, the Mall, the White House and the Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest parade route.

“Certainly everything is interrelated when it comes to planning for the inauguration,” said Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Traci Hughes.

Police will establish a wider security perimeter running from K Street Northwest to the Potomac River in which parking will be prohibited and driving will be restricted to residents and vehicles on official business.

Pedestrians approaching the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route will have to pass through one of 13 police checkpoints. Bicycles will be prohibited within the security zones.

The restrictions will be in force until 7 a.m. on Jan. 21.

New York Avenue, the main entrance for motorists coming into the District from Interstate 95, will remain open.

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