The 2024 National Memorial Day Parade is marching into town and with it a gridlock alert. City officials have announced a series of street closures and parking restrictions that will impact Monday's commute in the District of Columbia. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a handful of streets will be designated as Emergency No Parking zones from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., so don't even think about parking on Constitution Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to 23rd Street, NW, unless you fancy a ticket or a tow.

Turning the wheels of remembrance, the parade will lead to more street closures, a necessary inconvenience to honor the men and women who have served. Caught up in the ceremony, closures will span from 4th Street to 23rd Street along key routes such as Pennsylvania Avenue, Independence Avenue, and around the National Mall. Drivers should note that crossing 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW will be a no-go from early morning until late afternoon. Further information on the exact streets can be found on the police department's official notice.

Commuters should be prepared for major disruptions affecting the flow of traffic around favored thoroughfares. The closures are expected to take effect from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for most areas, with certain streets around Constitution Avenue extending the no-go zone until approximately 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It's not just the main parade route that's impacted – side street shutdowns will redirect a significant number of vehicles, particularly those attempting to traverse Virginia Avenue from Constitution Avenue to 23rd Street, NW, which will be off-limits after 10:00 a.m..

City officials are pushing for the public to make use of public transportation, biking, or walking, to ease some of the vehicular congestion typically seen during this annual event. Honoring the sacrifice of our armed forces, the freeway will also see a change in its usual pulse. Motorists coming into the city via Inbound I-395 and the 14th Street Bridge will find themselves rerouted eastbound on the I-395 SW Freeway during the afternoon hours. In a tribute to convenience, and perhaps as a nod to foresight, parade-goers are encouraged to plan their commutes and visits accordingly.