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I've been following all the transportation plans and announcements for weeks. I've poured over Metrobus corridor plans, street closure maps, parking restriction maps, Metrorail station closures, bridge closure rules, jumbotron locations, and lists of security checkpoint entrances. And to all of you out there still sitting there, at 10 p.m. on Inauguration Eve, wondering exactly which way you're going to get down to the Inauguration festivities tomorrow morning, all I can say is, best of luck to you.
Any "guide" touting DCist's "sugggestions" for the best way to get to the National Mall, the parade route, or the Swearing-In ceremony would only be guesses. The situation is so fluid, so complicated, there's no way we could give you advice that we can confidently stand behind.
We can reiterate what you've surely already guessed: if you live in the city, walking or biking is your best bet. If you decide to walk, go ahead and look to see what the buses look like when they come by—maybe tourists won't be confident enough to ride Metrobus, and you'll be able to hop on one and cut your walk in half. If you don't have a ticket, decide beforehand whether you're aiming for the National Mall or the Parade Route. Get to wherever you're going by 9 a.m.
Beyond that, it's all a crapshoot. Streets we thought would be open might be suddenly closed. Security entrances we think might be less crowded than others could end up being the most popular ones (perhaps even helped on by our recommendation).
So if you're sitting there at home tonight, feeling like the only person who doesn't have a clue about the best way to go or the best place to be, take some solace in the fact that no one else knows anything, either. The reason why you haven't run across some totally thorough, ultimate guide to getting from your door to the best spot on Pennsylvania Ave. is because no one wants to venture a guess.
What we will do is give you the links below. These are the resources we've found helpful while plotting our various courses. Dress warm, put a granola bar in your pocket, and give it your best shot. We guarantee it's going to be a fustercluck at some point, but you're also probably going to be glad you went to all the trouble.
- DC.gov's Getting There site. A clearinghouse of PDF maps.
- WABA's Inaugural Bike Google Map, includes suggested routes and bike valet locations. See also WABA's main inauguration page.
- pic2009.org's printable PDF map for those heading to the parade route and the swearing-in ceremony. Includes security entrance locations.
- Washington Post's map of jumbotron locations.
- Full list of road and bridge closures.
- Metro's Inauguration Weekend FAQ.
- PDF list of Metrobus corridors that will be operating on Inauguration Day. Also a map.
- Circulator bus route changes for Inauguration Day.
- List of pedestrian-only routes.
- List of prohibited items.
- Sign up to follow DCist_Updates on Twitter. Also very helpful: Dr. Gridlock on Twitter.
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My biggest concern is crossing Pennsylvania Ave. I live at 5th and Mass so the mall isn't far away, and I don't particularly care about getting to the Mall early, but if they close off Penn Ave due to overcrowding I can't cross!
Here's to hoping that people will take the stress in stride tomorrow!
I find it very surprising the mall isn't gonna have any checkpoints what so ever. At least i can bring my backpack there...
IMGoph's guide to watching tomorrow's festivities, in three easy steps:
1) wake up in your bloomingdale apartment, blocks from downtown.
2) go to living room, turn on TV to CNN.
3) watch.
Your link to "prohibited items" should be retitled or annotated to note that such items are ONLY prohibited within the security zone surrounding the parade route and the security zone for those with tickets to the inauguration. There has been a LOT of confusion on this point, and I'm afraid you (and the Presidential Inaugural Committee) are contributing to it. The vast majority of people attending (on the Mall) will be able to bring in the vast majority of items on that list (firearms excepted).
IMgoph,
You're not going downtown?
Dude, it's a 20 minute walk.
yeah, and it's going to be cold, and too many people, and i'm not going to see anything.
sorry, i'm going to be the odd duck on this one, but i'm staying home...
whatrocks,
3rd street tunnel looks like the easiest way to get there.
At 5:30am, L'Enfant was pretty packed if you were getting off the Green/Yellow and then onto the Orange/Blue. I was going the opposite direction, with very few other people. Got off at Gallery Place, which was not crowded. However the Security Perimeter to the Parade is different. I was trying to go to work at C and 6th NW, and the gates are supposed to be south of C, they are actually at D. So it looks like the larger security perimeter has actual checkpoints, they just didn't want to tell us about them. I sweet talked my way in because my badge is flimsy and not government issued. But I'm at work, just in time to get started on my project.
And yes, it took me almost an hour from L'Enfant to 6th and C NW.