Getting around might be trickier than finding a spot for a picnic blanket on the Mall to see the fireworks.
WASHINGTON — In a city where traffic can be as stationary as the monuments its known for, residents are reminded several roads and landmarks will shut down ahead of Independence Day.
Officials say getting around might be trickier than finding a spot for a picnic blanket on the Mall to see the fireworks.
Here's what you need to know, according to NPS.
Site closures:
- The Washington Monument will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 and reopen at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 5.
- Due to construction, the Lincoln Memorial, including the steps, will be closed on July 4.
- The World War II Memorial will close at 4 p.m. on July 4. Cleanup of the memorial will begin immediately following the fireworks show and the site will open as soon as the cleanup is complete.
- Paddle boats at the Tidal Basin will not operate.
- Big Bus Tours will not operate on the Mall on July 4.
- The D.C. Circulator’s National Mall route will not operate on July 4.
- East Potomac Golf Course will be open regular operating hours on July 4 (6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.).
- East Potomac Tennis Center will close at 3 p.m. on July 4.
- Water taxi service to the National Mall will not operate on July 4.
Road Closures:
Starting at midnight on June 24 until July 8:
- Ohio Drive SW between West Basin Drive SW and Inlet Bride
Starting at midnight July 3:
- Ohio Drive SW between 23rd Street SW and West Basin Drive SW
Starting at 6 a.m. on July 4 and until midnight on July 5:
- Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington Memorial Circle, to and including Lincoln Memorial Circle.
- Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue NW to Lincoln Memorial Circle, including all approaches and ramps.
- Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle.
- Henry Bacon Drive NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW.
- Daniel Chest French Drive SW from Independence Ave SW to Lincoln Memorial Circle.
- Lincoln Memorial Circle and all approaches and ramps into and out of Lincoln Memorial Circle, including Henry Bacon Drive NW, Daniel Chester French Drive SW, 23rd Street NW and 23rd Street SW.
- Ramp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge to Constitution Avenue NW. and Independence Avenue SW and Ohio Drive SW; all inbound traffic from the bridge will be directed to the E Street Expressway.
- Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street NW to 15th St NW.
- 23rd St SW from Independence Ave SW to Lincoln Memorial Cir and Constitution Ave to Lincoln Memorial Circle.
- 17th St NW from Constitution Ave NW to Independence Ave SW.
- Homefront Drive SW.
- 15th Street NW from Constitution Ave NW to Independence Ave SW.
- Raoul Wallenberg Place SW to Maine Avenue SW.
- Independence Avenue SW from 14th Street SW to 23rd Street SW, including merge with Rock Creek Parkway.
- Ohio Dr SW from 23rd St SW to Inlet Bridge.
- Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW.
- Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW.
- East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW.
- West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue, SW.
- Ramp from southbound and northbound George Washington Memorial. Parkway (GWMP) to Memorial Avenue /Circle.
- Ramp from northbound Va. Route 110 to Memorial Avenue/Circle.
- Ramp from Va. Route 27 to Memorial Avenue/Circle.
- The right lane of northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway from the 14th Street Bridge to Theodore Roosevelt Island.
- Access to East Potomac Park from I-395 will be by National Park Service permit only after 4 p.m.
Closed from 3 p.m. on July 4 until midnight on July 5:
- Eastbound U.S. Route 50 ramps to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and roads in the immediate area of U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
- Southbound GWMP ramp to 14th Street Bridge (8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. as necessary).
- Northbound GWMP ramp to 14th Street Bridge (8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. as necessary).
WATCH NEXT:
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.