Mayor Bowser, Local and Federal Partners Host Public Safety Briefing on Fourth of July

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by administration officials and federal partners to provide updates on plans to keep residents and visitors safe during the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations. The briefing included information on road closures, watercraft restrictions, planning considerations for attending National Mall events, and management of large crowds participating in the holiday celebrations.

The DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency is partnering with the United States Park Police to use a text notification service to quickly deliver important and emergency information to residents and visitors on July 4. Cell phone users are encouraged to register for notifications via text message by texting JULY4DC to 888-777. Residents and visitors are asked to be mindful that many events are occurring throughout the city and to use public transit. Metro Fourth of July hours can be found on wmata.com. For more information on District service adjustments including trash collection, lane restrictions, and parking, visit dc.gov/fourthofjuly. Residents and visitors visiting the National Mall should visit the National Park Service website for a comprehensive list of prohibited items and a schedule of events.

“While this year’s activities are going to look different than in years past, we are, as always, prepared to welcome thousands of residents and visitors to the nation’s capital for the Fourth of July,” said Mayor Bowser. “There is no better team than the one we have in DC for handling large celebrations and First Amendment activities. Now, we want our residents and visitors to make sure they have all the information they need – before heading downtown – to have a safe and fun holiday.”

Mayor Bowser will be activating the District’s Emergency Operations Center on Thursday, July 4, from 6 am to 11 pm to ensure city services are well-coordinated and to mitigate any emergency incidents that may arise in the city during the day-long celebration. Residents and visitors are urged to be vigilant and follow the motto: if you see something, say something. To report immediate threats or emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity or behavior, call (202) 727-9099 or text 50-411.

“As communities across our region and country are preparing to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is prepared to safeguard those celebrating in the nation’s capital,” said MPD Chief Peter Newsham. “Just like all previous large-scale events, MPD has been working diligently with other city agencies and our federal partners in sharing information and monitoring all potential threats to ensure this year’s holiday goes on as planned. While we encourage everyone to enjoy the holiday, partake in the celebrations, and have fun, we remind everyone to use safety precautions, common sense, and report any suspicious behavior.”

Watercraft Restrictions

The following watercraft restrictions will be in place on the Potomac River from approximately 4:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m.:

• South of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to the Arlington Memorial Bridge will be a No Anchorage Zone.
• There will be a designated anchorage zone north of the 14th Street Bridge on the west side of the Potomac River (Virginia shore side); this zone will be just north of the entrance to the Pentagon Lagoon to south of the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
• There will be a watercraft safety zone north of the 14th Street Bridge on the east side of the Potomac River (Washington, DC side); this zone will be just north of the entrance to the Pentagon Lagoon to south of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. This means no boating, no anchoring.
• Watercrafts will be allowed to anchor outside of the channel north of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and south of the 14th Street Bridge.
• There may be intermittent travel restrictions between the 14th Street Bridge and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge between the hours of 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Watercraft operators will be expected to follow the restrictions and remain alert for posted signage and buoys. MPD recommends that all watercraft operators and passengers not only have a life jacket or a personal floatation device, but wear it at all times while boating. As always, do not drink and operate a watercraft. Boaters seeking additional information should contact MPD’s Harbor Patrol Unit at 202-727-4582.

Road Closures

There will be extensive street closures that motorists should take into consideration. The following streets will be closed and posted as Emergency No Parking for the event. Closed from 4:00 a.m. until approximately 11:00 p.m.:

• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (TR Bridge) Inbound to Constitution Avenue; all traffic will be diverted to the E Street Expressway
• Independence Avenue, SW from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
• 23rd Street, NW (northbound) from Constitution Avenue to Virginia Avenue, NW; southbound 23rd Street, NW will be allowed to flow and access outbound TR Bridge
• 22nd Street, NW from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 21st Street, NW from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 20th Street, NW from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 19th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 18th Street, NW from Virginia Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 17th Street, NW from New York Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 15th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW
• 14th Street, NW from Pennsylvania to Independence Avenue, SW
• 12th Street, NW from Pennsylvania to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 9th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 7th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 6th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 4th Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 3rd Street, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Henry Bacon Drive, NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 3rd Street to 23rd Street, NW
• Arlington Memorial Bridge (to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic)
• Southbound Rock Creek Parkway will be closed at Virginia Avenue, NW
• Maine Avenue, SW will be closed at I-395 to all westbound traffic
• Access to East Potomac Park from I-395 will be by National Park Service permit only
• The northbound HOV lanes of the 14th Street Bridge will be diverted to eastbound I-395. The northbound main lanes of the 14th Street Bridge will also be diverted to eastbound I-395.

The 3rd Street tunnel will remain open for the entire day. The 9th Street and 12th Street tunnels will be closed during the Independence Day Parade from approximately 4:00 a.m. until approximately 4:00 p.m.

Barracks Row Parade:

The following roads will be closed from approximately 8:00 am until 12:00 pm:

• 8th Street, SE from D Street to I Street, SE
• E Street, SE from 7th Street, SE to 9th Street, SE
• G Street, SE from 7th Street, SE to 9th Street, SE

Palisades Parade:

The following roads will be closed from approximately 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.:

• MacArthur Boulevard from Whitehaven Park to Edmunds Place, NW
• National Archives July 4th Declaration of Independence Reading:
• The following roads will be closed from approximately 7:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.:
• Constitution Avenue, NW between 7th Street, NW and 9th Street

The public should expect parking restrictions along the route and should be guided by the posted emergency no parking signage. All vehicles that are parked along the route and in violation of the emergency no parking signs will be ticketed and towed.

All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions. Motorists could encounter possible delays if operating in the vicinity of this event and may wish to consider alternative routes. MPD and the D.C. Department of Transportation also wishes to remind motorists in the vicinity of this event to proceed with caution as increased pedestrian traffic can be anticipated.

Weather

The Fourth of July forecast anticipates potentially dangerous heat. Residents and guests are encouraged to visit heat.dc.gov for safety tips.

Aircraft Flyover

The federal government informed the District there will be military flyovers taking place along the National Mall on the Fourth of July. Residents and visitors along the National Mall between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. can expect to see fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. While there will be an increase in air traffic noise, there is no cause for alarm.