Papal Visit – Alternative routes due to road closures

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Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 35 total)
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  • September 14, 2015 at 8:16 pm #1037703
    Tania
    Participant

    I work pretty close to the WH so this has a big impact on me. My boss has already given us all permission to work from home (if our office doesn’t just close, which is likely).

    I told him if he absolutely needed someone to physically be here, that I could come in – although I’m not changing into work clothes and I’m definitely going to be riding my bike in circles around the office since no one will be here.

    This page has shaded maps which I found to be little easier to understand than the list of street closures.

    http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Traffic-Heavily-Impacted-by-Pope-Francis-Visit-327448091.html

    September 14, 2015 at 8:20 pm #1037705
    MFC
    Participant

    It would be nice if WABA or the DC government could give some sort of idea on whether the ban applies to cyclists and pedestrians, especially during periods when the pope is not in the proximity of a closed area.

    September 14, 2015 at 8:39 pm #1037710
    GovernorSilver
    Participant

    @Tania 124181 wrote:

    http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Traffic-Heavily-Impacted-by-Pope-Francis-Visit-327448091.html

    Thanks! It does indeed more clearly show the impacted areas.

    Looks like the Maine Ave SW to 4th St route is my only choice. I better try it tomorrow just to see what it’s like.

    September 15, 2015 at 1:45 am #1037731
    dasgeh
    Participant

    Based on past events, I would expect bikes to be allowed on most of the closed roads. Not around the parade and maybe not where the pope is on the block.

    September 15, 2015 at 2:20 am #1037744
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    They usually allow bikes on closed roads on Independence Day, except at limited times. I’ve seen a lot of cyclists on Constitution Ave. on that weekend.

    September 15, 2015 at 4:12 am #1037746
    GovernorSilver
    Participant

    I found this official map of road closures, but the parade route itself isn’t on the map. 😡

    http://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/page_content/attachments/2015%20Papal%20Visit%20White%20House%20Closures%20and%20Detours.pdf

    I wish there was a map of the parade route. This is all I could find, per http://walkwithfrancis.org/papal-parade/

    On Wednesday morning, September 23rd after leaving The White House, Pope Francis will travel along 15th Street, Constitution Avenue and 17th Street NW. Participants are invited to line the streets on the Ellipse and National Mall to cheer on Pope Francis as he drives by in the Popemobile.

    If I’m reading the above correctly, the route will look like this:
    https://goo.gl/maps/eQzXs

    From what I recall of the 2009 inauguration, absolutely no one was allowed to cross the parade route, let alone enter it, several hours before the parade, and several hours after too. So I think as long as we avoid those three streets, we may be fine.

    September 15, 2015 at 6:51 pm #1037780
    Terpfan
    Participant

    Fortunately for me, I can skate most of it by my usual route to work up through Georgetown and Wisconsin. Unfortunately for me, I suspect due to the closure of 34th and Mass Aves, I will be seeing many frustrated and angry drivers who will no doubt try stupid things.

    I wish we could just work from home.

    September 15, 2015 at 6:55 pm #1037782
    dasgeh
    Participant

    I work on Constitution, west of the White House. The buzz around the office is ballparking how long until management just gives in and admits we’ll be closed Wednesday.

    September 15, 2015 at 7:31 pm #1037789
    rcannon100
    Participant

    Alternative route:

    Casual%20Critter%20Couch%20Foam%20Dog%20BedCR2.jpg

    September 15, 2015 at 7:38 pm #1037791
    americancyclo
    Participant

    @GovernorSilver 124176 wrote:

    Metropolitan Police Dept’s announcement concerning security restrictions, including road closures:

    http://mpdc.dc.gov/release/law-enforcement-and-public-safety-agencies-announce-security-restrictions-and-joint

    3500 words and not ONE map. Good Job MPDC!
    @Tania 124181 wrote:

    This page has shaded maps which I found to be little easier to understand than the list of street closures.

    http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-Traffic-Heavily-Impacted-by-Pope-Francis-Visit-327448091.html

    Thanks!

    September 16, 2015 at 7:29 pm #1037873
    Burns
    Participant

    I emailed Mike Goodno, Bicycle Program Specialist at DDOT to see if they knew anything about the restrictions for bicycles. Below is the email chain, broken up into my initial question and his responses:

    I’ve seen the maps and news of the street closures during the papal visit September 23rd and 24th. I was wondering if you had any further information about bicycle access through the Mall area. Specifically, I commute from the 14th Street Bridge past the Jefferson Memorial. On the maps these are labeled local/ restricted flows. Will I be able to go through that area on a bike?

    ________________________________________

    I have not been involved in the planning for the Pope’s visit. However, I’m trying to get an answer to your question.

    Sincerely,

    Mike Goodno | Bicycle Program Specialist | Policy, Planning & Sustainability Administration | District Department of Transportation |

    desk (202) 671-0681 | fax (202) 671-0617 | http://www.ddot.dc.gov/bike

    Serving with Integrity and Excellence

    ________________________________________

    I received confirmation that bikes will not be allowed in the restricted areas.

    Mike

    September 16, 2015 at 7:39 pm #1037874
    lordofthemark
    Participant

    @GovernorSilver 124188 wrote:

    Thanks! It does indeed more clearly show the impacted areas.

    Looks like the Maine Ave SW to 4th St route is my only choice. I better try it tomorrow just to see what it’s like.

    Welcome to my world :)

    Actually it should be better than normal – I assume therewill be less traffic than usual on Maine, so it may just be wonderful. Or will there be more with the other streets closed?

    September 16, 2015 at 8:02 pm #1037875
    Emm
    Participant

    I think I’ll telework Wed to avoid the 14th st bridge issue, and try to find a way into my office on Thursday. I have to come in either Wed or Thurs my boss said since it’s the end of the FY/possible shutdown/etc. Issue is on all of those days my office sits within a block of closed roads in SW DC, so I have no idea what my options will be…

    September 16, 2015 at 8:04 pm #1037876
    lordofthemark
    Participant

    @Emm 124373 wrote:

    I think I’ll telework Wed to avoid the 14th st bridge issue, and try to find a way into my office on Thursday. I have to come in either Wed or Thurs my boss said since it’s the end of the FY/possible shutdown/etc. Issue is on all of those days my office sits within a block of closed roads in SW DC, so I have no idea what my options will be…

    ???

    September 16, 2015 at 8:06 pm #1037877
    Emm
    Participant

    @lordofthemark 124374 wrote:

    ???

    I was referring to the 14th st bridge to Jefferson memorial closure to bikes that Burns referenced–that area on Wed appears as restricted, so it looks like bikes can’t use it. I could do Maine Ave, but it doesn’t help much.

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