The annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund begin on Friday, and the city will see a number of changes in traffic patterns and road closures this weekend as a result. Here’s what you should plan around:

Streets closed to vehicles:
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 19, until 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 21
* Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 17th Street and 20th Street, NW
* 19th Street, NW between I (“Eye”) Street and F Street, NW
* H Street, NW between 17th Street and 20th Street, NW

Beginning at 8 pm on Friday, October 19, until 9 pm on Monday, October 22
* 18th Street, NW between F Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
* 19th Street, NW between F Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
* 20th Street, NW between F Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
* F Street, NW between 17th Street and 20th Street, NW

Pedestrian restrictions:
Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 19, until 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 21
* 600, 700, and 800 blocks of 18th Street, 19th Street, and 20th Street, NW
* 1700, 1800, 1900, and 2000 blocks of G Street, NW
* 1900 block of H Street, NW

To add to the fun, the MPD has said that all street closings are subject to change at any time, without notice. All of these measures are in place, of course, because of the inevitable protesters that will tie up traffic even more. Over at Free Ride, Mike Grass has been keeping tabs on tomorrow’s planned “October Rebellion” in Georgetown. The organization’s web site is here.

If you’re looking to avoid any potential frustrations getting around town this weekend starting tomorrow, the only thing we can think to recommend is to stay east of 17th Street NW and either north of Eye Street NW or south of E Street. Theoretically, Georgetown should be fine for Saturday or Sunday shopping — just be careful how you get there.

Photo of World Bank protests in 2006 by MatthewBradley