Roads, Trains can't handle January 20th Droves (Inauguration)

[Mike Daniels]

Even if only half of the projected 2 million to 4 million people show up for next month's presidential inauguration, the Washington region's roadways and transit systems will be too pressed to handle the crush, planners say...

....People who live near the Arlington Cemetery Metro station, for example, and are planning to take the subway to the swearing-in ceremony might want to think about walking, because trains will be packed. On foot, the three-mile trek from the station to the Reflecting Pool at the Capitol should take about an hour.

And anyone planning to drive in from Virginia might consider a boat: the Roosevelt, Memorial and inbound 14th Street bridges will be restricted to buses and authorized vehicles. Maryland and D.C. officials are also considering bus-only corridors.

Even for those who can get to town or who live there, moving about is going to be dicey: Widespread street closures will severely restrict driving, parking and taxi availability, and delays are likely to be extensive. City officials are working to designate pedestrian-only streets.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/14/AR2008121402648.html?hpid=topnews


My office has never closed for inauguration and they didn't initially plan on shutting down for this one. However, reality has finally hit and they realized that there's no way that anyone is going to be able to get into work with the upcoming clusterf**k so they changed their mind.

[Sinistrous]

1. As historic as this inauguration is, and as much as

I would like to attend the ceremony, I'm afraid I am too old and sick to risk being in a crowd that big. I am going to have to be satisfied with watching it on TV.

[Mike Daniels]

2. None of my friends who live in DC proper have any intention of trying to see it on site

and they all live within walking distance (a mile, give or take) of the staging areas.

It's just not worth the effort. You'll have a better view of history taking place if you stay at home and watch it on TV.

[DinahMoeHum]

3. Stay at home and watch it on TV . . .and you can Tivo or tape it.

n/t