Metro
One thing that hasn’t changed since August: Metro is still a good bet for reaching the dedication. If you’re up for a walk, it’s a good choice for reaching the memorials in this area on any day.
Metrorail: The transit authority had scheduled some major track work for Oct. 16, but postponed it because of the dedication. Instead, Metro plans to begin its Sunday rail service at 5 a.m., two hours early. Also, the transit authority plans to operate more eight-car trains to provide extra capacity for those attending the ceremony. Parking at Metro lots and garages is free on weekends.
Metrobus: On dedication day, the buses will operate on their normal Sunday schedules. Detours because of street closings are possible in the area around the Mall. Allow for some extra travel time.
Fares: Metro is still selling the paper pass to commemorate the dedication of the memorial. It features an image of the King statue. The pass is valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel on weekdays after 9:30 a.m. or all day Saturdays, Sundays or federal holidays. It expires at 4 a.m. on the day following first day of use.
Biking
The memorial area is a beautiful spot for cycling, but there are only a few bike stands near the King site. On dedication day, bicycles will not be permitted in the Metrorail system.
Capital Bikeshare: A day’s membership in the bike rental program costs $5. There is a Bikeshare station at 19th Street and Constitution Avenue NW on the north side of the Mall. Other stations are at Virginia Avenue and 21st Street NW and at 19th and E streets NW. An event like the dedication probably will tie up many of the bikes, so it’s best to have an alternative plan. For details, check CapitalBikeshare.com.
Walking
Many attendees on dedication day will be walking from Metrorail stations. The closest stations are Smithsonian and Foggy Bottom on the Blue and Orange lines and Arlington Cemetery on the Blue Line. None of these is a short walk but it should be manageable for a person in reasonable health.
Smithsonian is eight-tenths of a mile from the memorial grounds, Foggy Bottom 1.4 miles and Arlington Cemetery 1.2 miles. Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian are the most likely to be crowded. Alternatives are L’Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green) at 1.3 miles, Farragut North (Red Line) at 1.5 miles, Farragut West (Orange and Blue) at 1.5 miles and McPherson Square (Orange and Blue) at 1.6 miles.
My choice would be the Arlington Cemetery station. It’s a nice, flat walk, and an inspirational one, because you cross the Potomac River via Arlington Memorial Bridge, looking up at the Lincoln Memorial, before bending right toward Independence Avenue.
The trip between the station escalators and West Potomac Park took me 21 minutes at a leisurely pace. Be especially careful crossing the roads around Memorial Circle.
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