More - and happier - information came in over the weekend regarding pedestrian access to Potomac bridges on Inauguration Day. We knew that the entire Memorial Bridge and sidewalks on Key Bridge would be open to pedestrians on January 20, but the January 8 Secret Service Transportation Plan was unclear on ped access to the Roosevelt and 14th Street bridges. Well, according to the Sunday (January 11) Washington Post's comprehensive "Walking to the Inauguration" guide, security and transportation officials now say that pedestrians will be allowed on all Potomac bridges, with the following specific directives:
- Key Bridge: Pedestrians allowed on walkways only. The bridge is easily accessed from Rosslyn and has walkways on both sides.
- Roosevelt Bridge: Pedestrians allowed on walkways only. The walkway on the west (westbound for vehicle traffic) side of the bridge is safer and easier to access from the Mount Vernon Trail.
- Memorial Bridge: Pedestrians allowed on vehicle lanes and walkways. This is the official pedestrian-only Potomac bridge for the Inauguration (though it will also be open for bicyclists and emergency vehicles). On foot, it's most easily accessed from the Mount Vernon Trail, but if you're coming from the direction of Roosevelt Island, it's easier and safer to follow the Trail UNDER the bridge and loop around to the top of the bridge from there.
- 14th Street Bridge: Pedestrians allowed on walkway only. The bridge has only one walkway, which can be accessed from the Mount Vernon Trail.
This is definitely good news for walkers, but keep in mind that only Memorial Bridge is dedicated to pedestrians. On all other bridges (especially the 14th Street Bridge), pedestrians must keep off the road for safety reasons.
Additional information on Potomac bridge and other access to the Inauguration was released by the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and the Virginia State Police on Saturday, January 10. Click here to read the release
For what it's worth, I've crossed all but the 14th Street Bridge on foot, whether running, walking, or pushing a stroller, during rush hour and at off-peak times, without incident. Of course the number of pedestrians will be exponentially greater on January 20, and there will also be bicyclists sharing the walkways, so be sure to pay more attention to your fellow travellers than the spectacular views of the Potomac and our nation's capital!
Update on Getting There
A few walkers have asked whether Fort Myer will be open to pedestrians seeking shortcuts through Arlington to the bridges on January 20. According to Fort Myer Public Affairs, the Fort will NOT be open/accessible to the public. Fort Myer is being used as a staging area for the Inauguration and is even restricting access for its own personnel. So, if you're thinking about cutting through Fort Myer or if GoogleMaps is giving you a route that traverses the Fort, think again. But help is on the way...
In the coming days, as Arlington transit plans and other transportation options are finalized, WALKArlington will offer suggestions for getting to these bridges from points north, south, and west of the Potomac. As the weather forecasts come in, WALKArlington will also consolidate tips for walking long distances in potentially inclement conditions. Oh, and we hope to answer that pesky question about whether and where strollers are permitted as well!
Lauren Hassel is Coordinator of Outreach and Promotions for WALKArlington, part of Arlington County Commuter Services in the Department of Environmental Services.
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