WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The big Fourth of July celebration in D.C. means a lot of people will be attending events and watching fireworks over the National Mall in the District and on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. It also means plenty of road closures in the city and in Arlington.
We’ve put together a list of the closures. The information comes from the National Park Service (NPS) and from Arlington County.
D.C. Road Closures and Site Closures for July 4
NPS said the following closures would be in place for the Fourth of July celebration.
Starting at 4 a.m. on July 4 and until approximately 12 a.m. (midnight) on July 5:
- Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington Memorial Circle, to and including Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue NW to Lincoln Memorial Circle, including all approaches and ramps
- Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Henry Bacon Drive NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW
- Daniel Chest French Drive SW from Independence Ave SW to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Lincoln Memorial Circle and all approaches and ramps into and out of Lincoln Memorial Circle, including Henry Bacon Drive NW, Daniel Chester French Drive SW, 23rd Street NW and 23rd Street SW
- Ramp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge to Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW and Ohio Drive SW; all inbound traffic from the bridge will be directed to the E Street Expressway
- Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street NW to 15th St NW
- 23rd St SW from Independence Ave SW to Lincoln Memorial Cir and Constitution Ave to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- 17th St NW from Constitution Ave NW to Independence Ave SW
- Homefront Drive SW
- 15th Street NW from Constitution Ave NW to Independence Ave SW
- Raoul Wallenberg Place SW to Maine Avenue SW
- Independence Avenue SW from 14th Street SW to 23rd Street SW, including merge with Rock Creek Parkway
- Ohio Dr SW from 23rd St SW to Inlet Bridge
- Madison Drive NW from 15th Street NW to 3rd Street NW
- Jefferson Drive SW from 15th Street SW to 3rd Street SW
- East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW
- West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Ramp from southbound and northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to Memorial Avenue /Circle
- Ramp from northbound Va. Route 110 to Memorial Avenue/Circle
- Ramp from Va. Route 27 to Memorial Avenue/Circle
- The right lane of northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway from the 14th Street Bridge to Theodore Roosevelt Island
- Access to East Potomac Park from I-395 will be by National Park Service permit only after 4 p.m.
Closed from 3 p.m. on July 4 until approximately 12 a.m. (midnight) on July 5:
- Eastbound U.S. Route 50 ramps to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and roads in the immediate area of U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial;
- Southbound GWMP ramp to 14th Street Bridge (8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. as necessary)
- Northbound GWMP ramp to 14th Street Bridge (8 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. as necessary)
Here are the site closures:
- The National Mall will be closed between 14th Street and the Lincoln Memorial from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 4 for a security sweep. All visitors entering that area after 2 p.m. will be screened.
- Due to limited access and safety concerns caused by construction, the Lincoln Memorial, including the steps and access ramp, will be closed on July 4 from 6 a.m. until approximately 11 p.m.
- The Washington Monument will close at noon on Thursday, July 3 and reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 5.
- The World War II Memorial will close at 4 p.m. on July 4. Cleanup of the memorial will begin immediately following the fireworks show and the site will open as soon as the cleanup is complete, anticipated to be no later than noon on Saturday, July 5.
- The Old Post Office Tower will be closed on July 4.
- Paddle boats at the Tidal Basin will not operate on July 4.
- Big Bus Tours will not operate on the Mall on July 4.
- East Potomac Golf Course will be open regular operating hours on July 4 (6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.).
Arlington Road Closures for July 4
4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Marshall Drive, from Route 110 to N. Meade Street
- N. Meade Street, from Marshall Drive to N. Fairfax Drive (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be from the Rhodes Street bridge – local traffic only)
- Exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street (Rosslyn exit)
- Exit ramp from eastbound Route 50 to N. Meade Street (Rosslyn exit)
- Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive, from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive
9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Fort Myer Drive, between 19th Street N. and Arlington Boulevard
Arlington County noted that there could be addional road closures, implemented at the discretion of police.
The county said street parking in the areas would be restricted and that drivers should look for temporary “No Parking” signs.
Illegally parked cars may be ticketed or towed. If you find yourself in that situation, you may use the online portal to find out the status of your car and its location. If you find your car or need support using the online portal, call Arlington County’s non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.