All we hear in the news are people scrambling to get INTO DC for Inauguration, funny to hear a story about someone getting out!
Well, you have no idea how crazy things are getting in the DC area. All bridges from Virginia to DC will be closed to vehicular traffic (I guess the Marylanders have voted Democrate longer and therefore get priority.
😀) The 3d Street tunnel will be closed to vehicular traffic, but open for pedestrian traffic. That is interesting because it isn't set up for pedestrians. A couple of the bridges that are close will allow pedestrian traffic, the rest for buses or official traffic.
People are advised that they should plan on being at the swearing in or the parade, not both, as crowds will prevent going from the swearing in to the parade. Hotel rooms are still available in the area if you are willing to pay the paltry sum of around $1000 + per night. Hotel rooms are available from about 50 miles out. But you won't be able to drive into DC. Subways and other public transportation will be crowded beyond capacity so watch out for the press of people.
People are being encouraged to walk 2 to 4 miles rather than try to transfer on public transportation, especially the subway, although walks might only be a half mile or less then, but could be greater depending on the crowds that day.
Buses will be parked all over the place. Normal parking within probably 5-8 blocks of the mall or parade route will not allow car parking. Many streets adjacent to the parade route and mall will be blocked to traffic; increasing the probably gridlock. I would guess that by 7:00 am, frustrated drivers will no longer obey traffic lights; again adding to the gridlock. Pedestrians won't help that either.
The Maryland govenor has suggested to people that the should stay off the Maryland portion of the beltway. The Virginia portion will be in poor shape due to the above mentioned bridge closings.
Lord knows how many crazies will be in attendance. That and frustration shortened tempers will not make for a good day.
On the other hand, maybe everyone will be so enthralled by the "Yes we can" attitude they will be overly solicitous of each other. I hope so. But, like Scorpius73, I don't intend to be in DC, nor any closer than I have to. If I want to watch, I have a comfortable easy chair and a nice TV. If things go too crazy, I will do whatever, probably just hunkering down at home. In case of a major problem in DC, the roads out will be gridlocked anyway.
Scorpius73, I hope you enjoy your trip, and that DC has weathered all the hoopla with no major problems. I expect that to be the case. There has been a lot of doom and gloom, but hopefully it will not occur.
Doesn't that make all you the rest of you want to hurry up and come here?
😀 😀 😀
