UnOfficial Inauguration Information Thread

[agnes!]

I noticed over the past few weeks or so that folks have posted about possibly traveling to DC for Obama's Inauguration, asking questions about how to get around, where they might be able to park, etc.. I thought rather than having scattered thread with information trailing all over the DIS, that anyone with tips/hints/info about this weekend and MLK Day and Inauguration Day could just post here.

Have up-to-date info on road-closures? Post it here.
Know where there's on-going road construction? Post it here.
Have tips for getting around Metro and using the buses, where to park in Arlington/Crystal City/Chevy Chase? Know a good DC-area website for Inauguration info or a good local radio station to tune into? Yeah, you got it...post it here.

For those of us who live in the area and have access to traffic info and other news about Inauguration Weekend, let's try to keep this thread updated in real time. Many folks have Internet access through their IPhone/Blackberrys and might appreciate knowing why traffic is moving...or *not* moving and how to get around any possible back-ups.

Good luck everybody!
agnes!

 

[agnes!]

I'll go first .

Tune your radios to WTOP/103.5 FM. They have the best traffic and news of any radio station in the DC-area, plus they'll sometimes have traffic info about Baltimore/Richmond/Fredrick/Philly if it's serious enough.

agnes!

 

[wvjules]

I just got this in an email from the Inaugration Committee

P.S. -- If you are going to be in Washington, D.C., text OPEN to 56333 on your mobile phone to make sure you get up-to-the-minute updates about inaugural events.

 

[agnes!]

With corrections and updates . Plans are changing all the time.

Here's what I know right now about the bridges, (some I've posted elsewhere on the DIS), & getting around the DC area on Inauguration Day.

*-The Potomac Rover Bridges that are between DC & Virginia will be closed to INCOMING traffic. Right now they will be OPEN to buses and authorized vehicles ONLY.

*These same bridges will be open to *pedestrian* traffic where feasible.

*These bridges are as follows(in order from East to West):
1)14th St. Bridge Complex...first bridge-group North of Reagan/National Airport("middle" of Mall)...I-395 & US ROUTE 1
2)Memorial Bridge...runs between Arlington National Cemetery and Lincoln Memorial (West end of the Mall, there is a Metro stop at Arlington Cemetery, but not much parking)
3)"TR" Bridge [Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, DIFFERENT from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Island]...runs between Rosslyn and Kennedy Center...I-66 & US ROUTE 50
4)Key Bridge [Francis Scott Key Bridge]...runs between Rosslyn & Georgetown (far west perimeter of DC proper, NO METRO in Geo'town)...US ROUTE 29

Some other tidbits:
*Do NOT count on getting parking at Metro lots. Btw, the parking is opening at 3:30 AM Tuesday morning. Just heard on WTOP/103.5FM that Metro expects the lots to be full within an hour of opening the lots.
*George Washington Parkway ALREADY has Crowd-control fences installed in the median North of Alexandria. You will NOT be able to park on any frontage roads or west of the Parkway and walk directly across the Parkway, you WILL have to cross at the crosswalk.
*Pick one or the other to go to...the Swearing-In OR the Parade. You will NOT be able to attend both, the crush of people will be too great, movement between the two areas will be impossible.
*Bring cash. If you buy food/snacks/souvenirs, many vendors will probably not have cc machines. ATMs WILL run out of money. Bring small bills, exact change.
*Bring new $1, $5, $10 bills for the Metro-card machines (If you haven't bought needed card/s ahead of time.) The Metro-card machines are notoriously finicky.
*Things to know about Metro.
1)You WILL have to pay $4 CASH for parking. That is separate from your farecard/travel. NO credit cards, NO Smartcards.
2)The farecard machines DO take credit-cards.
3)NO OVERNIGHT parking in Metro lots. If you park & leave your car overnight, IT WILL BE TOWED.
4)Metro parking opens at 3:30AM, trains start at 4AM.
5)The Metro hours have just been adjusted to being open longer on Inauguration Day.

From the DC-area Dis'ers thread...

I just read on 100.3's website that the concert is only 90 minutes total and each performer is only singing one song. Hardly worth it, IMO. I would love to see James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc. but I want more than one song each.

http://www.idigbig.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=104703&article=4844423

From that same thread...

If I worked in DC, I'd be taking that day off for sure. What a mess that place will be. For starters...all bridges from VA to DC are closed [to private cars]. Good luck!!

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-MD-VA-Release-Inauguration-Transportation-Plans.html

 

[agnes!]

A bump for the evening crowd.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

The Official Inauguration website - tons of info...
Inauguration Day 2009
Schedule of Activities and Events
http://inaugurationday2009.com/schedule.html

WTOP/103.5FM (a local DC radio station), has a huge section on the website - all about the Inauguration activities, traffic, road closures, hints & tips, etc.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=780&sid=1574702

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

This bag info...I am PUZZLED. Make sure you know what you can and cannot bring and what size BAG (sheesh) you can bring it in.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Wanted__Small_Bags.html
Wanted: Small Bags
Bags must be a certain size
By ERIK WEMPLE
Updated 3:02 PM EST, Thu, Jan 15, 2009

One of the resounding themes of Inauguration Day will be broken dreams and dashed hopes. People are going to be flooding the federal core, ready to celebrate an inspirational new president, only to be bummed out by the intense security surrounding the event. Hunger could be a problem as well.

If you are one of those 2 million-plus ordinary citizens alighting on the scene, you’ll need to plan at least two meals ahead. That’s because the chances that you’re going to, like, get a spot for the parade or hang on the Mall, then go back to your apartment or hotel room for lunch, and then later re-assume your place in history are nil. Just not going to happen.

So you gotta pack lunch and water and snacks.
Yet according to the Washington Post Web site, you can’t carry any large bags or backpacks, at least for the parade route.
Here’s what is acceptable: “Bags smaller than 8 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches…”
Great work, officialdom. All my friends, all my acquaintances and relatives and colleagues—they all know automatically what kind of bag is 8-by-6-by-4. In fact, I have a good friend who, when he needs a bag, doesn’t ask for a grocery bag or a “baggie” or a paper bag, but rather uses dimensions to state the request. Hey Erik, he’ll say, you got a ten-by-19-by-3-inch bag kicking around in your kitchen?

Click here and look at this picture. The Giant bag is 13-by-16 inches; the Washington Post delivery bag is 21-by-7.5 inches. Which means that the most common bags around are going to be useless to all you parade seekers.
We here at City Desk will keep following this bag story. We want to know who came up with these bag dimensions and why. Also dying to find out on what sort of bag the rule is modeled. Could it be some kind of Ziploc bag that’s on every grocer’s shelf? And what’s with the whole 3-d standard? Sure, bags commonly expand and become three dimensional, but not uniformly so. And whatever you do, don’t you dare try to get in with a bag that’s exactly 8-by-6-by-4. Read the regulation carefully: It has to be smaller than those dimensions.
This is the story of the inauguration.

What can you bring? What can't you bring? Check out this comprehensive list:

Prohibited Items
The following items will be prohibited from all Inaugural event sites and locations:
firearms (either real or simulated)
ammunition
explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
mace and/or pepper spray
sticks or poles
pocket or hand tools, such as "leatherman"
packages
backpacks
large bags
duffle bags
suitcases
weapons of any kind
aerosols
supports for signs and placards
packages
coolers
thermoses, thermal or glass containers
strollers
umbrellas
bags exceeding size restrictions (8”x6”x4”)
laser pointers
animals other than helper/guide dogs
structures
bicycles
signs and posters
animals (other than service animals)
alcoholic beverages
other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners
Copyright Washington City Paper

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Inauguration_Guide.html
Comprehensive Inauguration Guide

agnes!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

As a former resident of the DC area I knew the best rule for Inauguation Day was get out of town!

 

[agnes!]

There was some question locally about whether or not DC-area Post Offices would be closed. The answer is?....sort of. Most will be open but some will be closed. Also some collection boxes have been removed for security reasons. Here's a link for that info: http://dcist.com/2009/01/how_usps_service_will_work_on_inaug.php

This is a *very*intersting website. Who knew that the Secret Service even *had* one? Lots of good info, inlcuding road closures and PARADE ENTRY POINTS. There is also a .pdf of a map sowing the road closures and the parade route entry points.
http://www.secretservice.gov/presidential_inaugural.shtml

DC Government website. Has COMPLETE list of road closures, security measures, etc.
VERY important road closures in Virginia:
**GW Parkway CLOSED north of Alexandria (Website says NOrth of 495, but that seems impossible to me)
**I-395 (Shirley Highway) CLOSED inside the Beltway
**I-66 CLOSED - Eastbound sections closed inside the Beltway
http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/closures.asp

agnes!

 

[mrsltg]

There are going to be two security circles around the parade route. You line up to go through the first point of entry, then you're lined up again for the second. Once a certain number is reached at the second point, everyone else will be turned away. This includes people with a bleacher ticket. If you want to see the parade, go early!!!

 

[agnes!]

Accuweather has the forecast as being *very* ((cold)) over the weekend & through Tuesday.

Today/Friday...High 20, Low 9 - DANGEROUSly cold real-feel of 4 degrees
Saturday...High/28, Low 20
Sunday...High 36, Low 27 - snow possible up to an inch
Monday...High 35, Low 20 - breezy
Tuesday...High 32, Low 22
*Keep in mind that the 'Real Feel' or wind-chill will be considerably colder

http://www.accuweather.com/us/dc/wa...tner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipChg=1&metric=0

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

Have found confirmed info on pedestrian access from Virginia into DC, wanted to repeat it here...

More Va. Bridges Open To Inaugural Pedestrians
WASHINGTON -- Security and transportation officials said pedestrians will now be allowed to use all bridges from Virginia into D.C. on Inauguration Day.

An earlier plan allowed pedestrians to use the Memorial and Chain bridges. Now, they can run, walk, bike or Segway across the Key, 14th Street and Roosevelt bridges, as long as they remain in the walk/bike paths and on sidewalks, officials say.

Virginia State Police say pedestrians must keep off the road, especially on the 14th Street Bridge, for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, all Virginia bridges across the Potomac River into D.C. will be closed to personal cars on Inauguration Day.

Some northern Virginia congressmen have asked the Secret Service to reconsider its transportation plan to provide more choices for northern Virginians.

Water Taxis Available
The U.S. Coast Guard said it has approved water taxi service from Virginia to D.C. on Inauguration Day.
The Inaugural Water Taxi will be provided by the Potomac Riverboat Co., for $90 roundtrip or $50 one way. The taxi will depart from the Alexandria City Marina at Union and Cameron streets in Old Town Alexandria and arrive at the Southwest Waterfront's Pier 4, at 600 Water St. in D.C.
Officials said passengers will disembark one mile from the National Mall and the nearest entrance for ticket-holders to President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony.
Timed tickets go on sale Monday at www.inauguralwatertaxi.com.
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/More-Va-Bridges-Open-To-Inaugural-Pedestrians.html

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

Tonight/Jan 18...currently 34, low 28
Monday/Jan 19...high 37, low 22 snow in late morning/accumulation to 1 inch
Tuesday/Jan 20...High 27, Low 20

http://www.accuweather.com/us/dc/wa...t.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&metric=0

ALL HOV lanes leading into DC are in effect NOW. This includes ALL HOV lanes the entire length of I-66 (West of DC, goes through Tysons Corner ends/starts near Pentagon) and I-395/95(South of DC, goes through the Springfield I-95/395/495 interchange and also ends in Arlington). It is my understanding that there will be no outbound HOV on Virginia/DC Interstates until after the Inauguration.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

4am - local DC-TV stations start coverage
5am - CNN starts coverage
6am - C-Span and other cable networks start coverage
8am - Security gates open
10am - Swearing-in ceremony "starts"
Music from Marine Band,
San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
Sen. Dianne Feinstein issues call to order and makes brief welcome speech
Rev. Rick Warren remarks
10:30am - Aretha Franklin sings
Biden sworn-in
11am - music
John Williams, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, gabriel Montero, Anthony McGill
After Williams & the other four musicians finish, Obama will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts
Noon - Obama's Inaugural Address
12:30 - departure ceremony for President Bush
1:25pm - Brief speech by Bush
2:30pm - Parade starts
6pm - parties start

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usschedule0120,0,7629977.story

 

[WriteDisney]

If you are going to be in or even around the area.. you should sign up for Alert DC...

https://textalert.ema.dc.gov/index.php?CCheck=1

they're suppose to notify you of any weather or road problems and stuff going on for the inauguration.. you can sign up for text and email alerts...

WTOP doesn't always convey the magnitude of a delay on roads.. so just watch out!

 

[agnes!]

That's a good idea, to sign up for text alerts.

I don't know off-hand what electronics security will allow into the secured zones, but I would think that the cell-phone system might have issues with all the on-air use tomorrow so also knowing local radio/TV stations with traffic/news etc is probably a good thing.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

http://www.pic2009.org/content/home/
The Official Presidential Inaugural Committee's website

Chock-full of stuff

Don't forget....The Kids' Ball is on Tonight at 8PM/EST on The Disney Channel.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

Bumping this back up.

Remember, tomorrow, this will all be over and a new day will have begun.

agnes!

 

[mecllap]

agnes! -- great job and public service compiling all this info. so, the big question is -- are you going to be somewhere on the Mall yourself??????

(I would have loved to be able to go, but couldn't physically handle it anymore, sigh).