DC residents and visitors should prepare for significant disruptions and detours as President Joe Biden gets set to deliver his third State of the Union address. Several roads in the vicinity of the U.S. Capitol will be off-limits starting today, as outlined by the U.S. Capitol Police.
According to details from WTOP, the first set of closures will kick in at 6:30 a.m. This includes Pennsylvania Avenue between First Street NW and Third Street NW, Maryland Avenue from First Street NW to Third Street SW, and First Street between Constitution Avenue SW and Independence Avenue SW. These preemptive measures are geared to ensure tight security as the nation's leaders convene.
Additional closures will follow throughout the day. As NBC Washington reports, at 1:30 p.m., commuters will need to avoid First Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE, and East Capitol Street from First Street to Second Street. Then at 3 p.m., another stretch of First Street will close, this time between Garfield Circle SW and Peace Circle NW.
The evening will see even more extensive closures, expected to severely impact rush hour traffic. Starting at 5:30 p.m., key roads including Constitution Avenue from Louisiana Avenue NW to Second Street NE, and Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue SW to Second Street SE will be closed. Not only will First Street be shut down between Constitution Avenue NW and Louisiana Avenue NW, but also D Street, Maryland Avenue, and New Jersey Avenue will see closures in segments as WUSA9 detailed. These measures are in place to not only protect the President but also congressional delegates and attendees.
Representatives from the U.S Capitol Police have not provided specific times when the roads will reopen, but closures are anticipated to remain in effect well into the night. Commuters are advised to plan accordingly and to stay abreast of traffic updates and alerts during this significant national event.
