Photo by FrogMiller

In a city that can at times feel like it’s in perpetual lockdown, one government building remained fairly accessible to the public: the United States Supreme Court. That changes tomorrow though, when the building’s iconic front entrance closes to visitors. The reason? Security, of course.

School groups, lawyers and anyone interested in watching arguments will be directed to a central screening facility to the side and below the main steps.

The changes come following two security studies over the past decade, and are part of a $122 million renovation.

Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer have put out a statement lamenting the decision, with Breyer calling the front entrance “not only a means to, but also a metaphor for, access to the court itself.”

Visitors and those with business with the court will still be able to exit the building down the front steps after the new security measures go into effect.