It's come to our attention that some of the Inauguration information being released around the region may be having the unintended consequence of discouraging (even scaring off?) people from attending the festivities. For the record, Arlington County is committed to helping residents and visitors alike make their way to Washington, D.C. on January 20 in a safe and orderly way. To that end, Arlington officials have been coordinating with regional partners across the National Capital area so that the County is ready to welcome participants to all of the upcoming Inaugural events.
The County's stated priorities are ensuring safe participation and access to events. That means walking, biking, or transit! A transportation plan has been adopted and public transit options have been enhanced. Arlington Transit and Metrobuses in northern Virginia will be FREE on January 20. And to help folks find the bridges on foot or by bicycle, Arlington will be posting yellow directional signs along likely bridge access points, feeder routes, and trails in Arlington. So whether you follow the crowd or follow the signs, you'll make it to a bridge and your final destination!
Get to Your Chosen Bridge
If the yellow directional signs don't appear in your neighborhood, Arlington County's Inauguration Page has put together some great information on getting to those bridges from five different points of origin within the County:
- Pentagon City/Crystal City
- Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor (Wilson/Clarendon Blvd.)
- Columbia Pike
- North Arlington and Lee Hwy.
- Fairlington & Shirlington
And here's one more resource for planning your Arlington-based route is the Washington Area Bicyclists Association bike map to Inaugural events.
Reach the Other Side
Once you've made that successful bridge crossing, the following regional resources will help you plan the rest of your route:
- Washington Post Walking to the Inauguration Guide
- Washington Post Inauguration Central
- Metro Walking Map/Commemorative Inauguration Guide (click on pdf in lower right-hand corner of page)
Stay Connected En Route
Even after you head out, situations may change, so here are some options for staying informed throughout the day:
- Sign up for Arlington Alert. This free service provides real-time safety information and emergency alerts via e-mail, cell phone, pager, BlackBerry or other wireless PDA. Text "1801" to 411911 or go to www.arlingtonalert.com.
- Tune to 1700AM Arlington, our 24/7 emergency radio station.
- Sign up for D.C. Alerts for real-time information about road closures, weather and more.
- Try Twitter. Get real-time transportation information from the CarFreeJan20 Twitter feed. Two interns with Arlington County Commuter Services will be using Twitter, an online community dedicated to giving people real-time updates, on Inauguration Day. So if you want to ensure that your Inauguration Day travel to Washington is as smooth as possible, follow along here on January 20th. Updates will be aggregated from mainstream media outlets, local alert systems, and 50 Inauguration travelers who will be providing live continuous updates to make it easier for you to get where you're going!
Ask What You Can Do For Arlington County...
In return for helping you make your way to the Inauguration, Arlington County asks only one thing: As you traverse the country's geographically smallest self-governing county on your way to the Inaugural events, leave the car at home and celebrate this "new birth of freedom" by going car-free!
Lauren Hassel handles outreach and promotions for WALKArlington, part of Arlington County Commuter Services in the Department of Environmental Services.
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