Inauguration Day in Alexandria

At noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Barack H. Obama will be sworn in on the steps of the Capitol as the 56th President of the United States of America. The City of Alexandria is expecting a record number of visitors, and preparations are underway for our guests and friends.

Jumbotron in Market Square

At the heart of Old Town is Market Square. Market Square is at the City Hall building, 301 King St. It is a brick courtyard and gathering point for city residents. The Presidential swearing-in ceremony and parade will be on Jumbotron (a giant TV) live on Inauguration Day at Market Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area Road Closures and Bridge Restrictions

The City of Alexandria states: "Road and bridge closures and security restrictions around the U.S. Capitol and the Inauguration parade route will make traveling by car directly from Northern Virginia to Washington, DC impossible beginning at 2 a.m. on January 20. The City urges residents---whether attending the Inauguration, going to work, or staying in Alexandria---to make plans and stay informed." So far, the road closures and bridge restrictions generally begin at 2 AM on Tuesday January 20th (early on Inauguration Day). At around that time, personal vehicles will not be allowed to enter Washington from Northern Virginia. Residents and visitors in Northern Virginia are urged to take public transit to the Inauguration activities. If you insist on driving, drivers will only be able to enter Washington by driving in from designated Maryland routes. Road closures and detours:

• Traffic on I-395 traffic heading toward Washington will be diverted at the Springfield interchange (exits 170B and 170C) onto 1-495 North (Inner Loop) or I-495/95 East (Outer Loop). Southbound 395 remain open to traffic.
• The 14th Street Bridge, Roosevelt Bridge, and Key Bridge will be closed to general traffic. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to cross these bridges. The Memorial Bridge and the Chain Bridge will be open to pedestrians only.
• North Washington Street at Montgomery Street to Reagan National Airport will be closed.
• The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed in both directions from I-495 to the 14th Street Bridge.

I-95/395 HOV Schedule

HOV on I-95/395 will begin at 3 AM, after 5 AM only buses and authorized vehicles will be permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes from Route 234/Dumfries to Washington. The HOV lanes will reverse at 8 PM with restrictions lasting until 9 pm or later.

Metro and VRE on Inauguration

As federal, state and local agencies continue to develop plans for the Inauguration, information on road closures may change. Please check this page for updates. Alexandria VA and Washington DC are expecting record turnouts for the 46th Presidential Inauguration. The public is urged to use public transportation and to arrive early. The best way into Washington DC from Northern Virginia and Alexandria on Inauguration Day will be Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express. Metro claims they will have public parking spaces available at all Northern Virginia Metro stations. It will be interesting to see how this is accomplished at some stations. For travel around the area on Inauguration Day, Metro is probably a good choice. To plan your trip via the Metrobus or Metrorail, use Metro’s Trip Planner; for bus travel within Alexandria, visit the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) system, or ride the Free King Street Trolley, which runs from the Metrorail King Street Station to the City’s Waterfront. For more detailed information please check the Secret Service Announces Security Information for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural (PDF) For more travel options to, and within Washington, D.C., and other important information, please check out CarlyleDistrict.com.

Walking

Persons walking from to the Inauguration from Alexandria have a number of options, including the Mount Vernon Trail. A less hearty walk would start at Arlington National Cemetary. You may wish to Metro to Arlington National Cemetary and walk the Memorial Bridge into DC. WMATA has produced and provided a commemorative walking guide and map. Bicycling The Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) will be operating two free bicycle valet parking areas on January 20, including one at the Jefferson Memorial. Visit WABA for more information including maps, bike rental information and valet tips. The City of Alexandria's Online Bike Map can prove useful as can the Regional Bike Path Route-Finder. Bicycles will not be allowed on Metrorail all weekend long, beginning Saturday, January 17th. Bicycles will be allowed on MetroBus throughout the Inaugural weekend.

Alexandria Events

• Torpedo Factory Art Center will be feature several inauguration related events.
• Alexandria African American Heritage History Museum will be have special holiday hourse and a tribute to the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Day.
• Gadsby's Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, two of Alexandria's oldest and most historic sites will be open with special holiday hours, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for Martin Luther King Day.
• The Servant Forge Humanitarian Inaugural Ball in Alexandria is scheduled for 8 p.m. until midnight at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 Union Street).

Here's a list of other Alexandria Inauguration events.