Work to transform Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House is wrapping up, with the Jersey barriers and oversized awkward planters being replaced with gray-green fluted bollards and attractive street pavers. For most of the past year, pedestrian access to the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue has been extremely limited. When DCist took this photo on Election Day morning, the street was blocked off, but this morning, the first lady will officially reopen the avenue to pedestrian traffic in a ceremony with the federal highways administrator.

Symbolically, the re-opening of the avenue will remove part of the fortress mentality the confronts people downtown on a daily basis. And the open design — which will allow pedestrians to move easily between Lafayette Park, the avenue and the access points at 15th and 17th streets — plays a large part in that.

From the White House:

The bollards will allow for free pedestrian movement, maintain a visually open environment, and respect the character of the street. Removable bollards will accommodate the Inaugural Parade.

Of course, removable bollards may make the avenue seem open, but during the Inaugural parade, the 4,000 combat troops that will be at the ready may reinforce that fortress mentality.

To learn all about the project, including the landscaping and choice in pavers, check out the White House’s Pennsylvania Avenue information page.