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March 28, 2024

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Inauguration Security Plan

POSTED: January 10, 2009, 12:00 am

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The District of Columbia will be under a special traffic plan for the 56th Presidential Inauguration starting Saturday January 17 that will impact entry into the nation’s capital from Maryland and Virginia, and movement within the District; particularly on Capitol Hill and a large area around the Mall and many of the federal buildings. The United States Secret Service has issued a map to help guide the public. The Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee has also released a Joint Transportation Plan.

In addition, the Secret Service has announced the following security measures:

Downtown Area Road Closures: Downtown Area Road Closures: A map detailing specific road closures is attached. Beginning at 3 p.m. on Monday, January 19, through 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21, vehicle restricted zones will be put in place in downtown. All vehicular road closures in Washington, D.C. will be coordinated by District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Inquiries pertaining to road closures should be directed to DDOT at 202.671.3490 . Details will also be available online at www.inauguration.dc.gov and at www.secretservice.gov. A detailed transportation plan will be released listing additional road closures for Inauguration day.

Security Screenings: All attendees, including general public and ticketed guests, are subject to a thorough security screening before entering the Inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the Inaugural balls. Please allow for additional time for this security screening, as it is expected that lines may be long.

Prohibited Items: As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from the Inaugural parade route, the White House reviewing stand and the Inaugural balls: firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons of any kind, aerosols, supports for signs and placards, packages, coolers, thermal or glass containers, backpacks, bags exceeding size restrictions (8"x6"x4"), laser pointers, animals other than helper/guide dogs, structures, bicycles and any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard. With respect to signs and placards, items must be made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three (3) feet in width, 20 feet in length and one-quarter (1/4) inch in thickness. Surrendered items will not be returned, nor available for pick-up.

Parade Route Entry Points: The following 13 public entry points will open at 7:00 a.m. on January 20, 2009 and will remain open until the parade route can no longer accommodate additional people.


2nd Street NW and C Street NW

3rd Street NW and C Street NW

Indiana Avenue NW between 6th St NW and 7th St NW

7th Street NW and D Street NW

10th Street NW and E Street NW

12th Street NW and E Street NW

E Street NW just east of 13th Street NW

13th Street NW just North of E Street NW

14th Street NW just North of E Street NW

12th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue

10th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue

7th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue

Constitution Avenue between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW



NOTE: Access to the parade route from south of Pennsylvania Avenue, including the National Mall area, will only be available via 14th Street NW or 12th Street NW at Constitution Avenue.

All parade route security screening entry points will be able to accommodate persons with disabilities. There are additional screening entry points for the ticketed seating at the U.S. Capitol and the White House viewing areas. Details for the swearing-in at the Capitol are available at www.inaugural.senate.gov.

Individuals attending the Inaugural parade may enter at any of the designated entry points on the north or south side of Pennsylvania Avenue. Between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the following intersections will be open to the general public as crossover points:


3rd Street between Constitution Ave and Pennsylvania Ave

Pennsylvania Ave between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW

Pennsylvania Ave between 11th Street NW and 12th Street NW



Please refer to the DC Metro map available for download to determine which subway stations align with the security zone.