Bill O'Leary/WASHINGTON POST - Visitors to the National Mall watch fireworks over the Washington Monument on Independence Day.
What with the congestion and the security precautions for Independence Day celebrations, having fun can be hard work, but hundreds of thousands will manage it.
Some of these planning tips may help ease the strain. Count on crowds all around the Mall and the main approaches. Taking transit, biking or walking are all better choices than attempting to drive and park. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and patience.
Getting to the Mall this Fourth of July, 2012
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Driving
Car travel will be especially difficult for people coming in from Virginia. Many roadways around the Mall will be closed from early morning until late at night. Parking near the Mall will be very limited. Watch for emergency no parking signs. There will be some spaces very early at Hains Point, but approaching the area will be difficult because of heavy traffic and street closures.
These are among the roadway closings: Arlington Memorial Bridge, Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue NW, Lincoln Memorial Circle and all approaches, the ramp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge to Constitution Avenue NW (with inbound traffic on Interstate 66 directed to the E Street Expressway), Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd to 14th streets, the eastbound Route 50 ramps to the George Washington Parkway and roads by the Iwo Jima Memorial, the ramps connecting the parkway to the 14th Street bridge and East Basin Drive from the 14th Street bridge ramp to the Inlet Bridge.
The High Occupancy Vehicle lane restrictions on I-66 and I-95/395 will be lifted Wednesday. The reversible lanes on I-95/395 will be southbound from 1 p.m. Tuesday until midnight. On Wednesday, the lanes will be northbound from 2 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and southbound from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The lanes will reopen northbound by 3 a.m. Thursday.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will adjust signal timings at more than 100 intersections along major roads, including Routes 1, 29, 50, 7, 123, 236 and 244. Signals will be timed to help move traffic into the District during the day and then south and west from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
After the fireworks, the District Department of Transportation will again conduct Operation Fast Forward to test emergency evacuation plans while easing the flow of outbound traffic.
On some designated evacuation routes, including Connecticut Avenue, Georgia Avenue and 14th Street, the signals will be re-timed to provide longer green lights for traffic leaving the city. This is scheduled to begin about half an hour after the show ends and will continue for an hour.
SoberRide
The anti-drunken-driving program SoberRide will offer free cab rides to people 21 and older from 10 p.m. on Independence Day to 4 a.m. Thursday. To get a free ride home in the D.C. area (up to a $30 fare), call the SoberRide program toll-free at 800-200-8294 (TAXI).
The Mall
The Mall will be open to the public at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Entry will be restricted to specific points, where people will be subject to security checks. The Capitol grounds will open at 3 p.m.
Performances on the Washington Monument grounds begin at 6 p.m. The Capitol Fourth concert on the west lawn of the Capitol starts at 8 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled to start about 9:10 p.m. and last about 20 minutes.
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Robert is Dr. Gridlock, the Post’s commuting columnist and an authority on all things roads and rails.
Ashley covers transportation, including roads and aviation. He is an avid cyclist and triathlete.
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