The construction zone is along the George Washington Memorial Parkway between the I-495 off ramp to Spout Run Parkway
Pursuant to 36 CFR Section 4.21, the National Park Service is imposing a temporary vehicular speed reduction as a part of the project to rehabilitate the north section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The dates of the closure shall be effective from November 21, 2022, until November 21, 2023. It is expected that construction will be complete by December 31, 2025. Posted speed limits will be reduced to 40 mph within the construction zone.
We are anticipating work activities to cause moderate adverse roadway conditions due to potential lane closures, work personnel and vehicles occupying medians, modifications to existing travel lanes for the accommodation of planned work activities and facilitation of routine maintenance.
Signing consistent with the manual on uniform traffic control devices will alert motorists of the reduced speed. Temporary signing, to include variable message boards, would provide advance or alternative travel direction for large vehicles.
The project will improve the driving experience, safety, and water drainage while retaining and reviving the historic beauty and significance of the parkway. Nothing in this order is intended to prevent the National Park Service, its employees, volunteers, partners, contractors, subcontractors, or designees from access and fulfilling their administrative duties and responsibilities.
Accordingly, the National Park Service determines publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unwarranted under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c). This closure is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications. Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02-1715 (D.D.C. August 29, 2002), plaintiff’s emergency motion for injunction pending appeal denied Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02-5275 (D.C. Cir. September 9, 2002) (per curiam); Picciotto v. United States, No. 99-2113 (D.D.C. August 6, 1999); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C. September 9, 1994); Picciotto v. Lujan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C. May 30, 1990); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C. January 26, 1988); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), aff'd in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995), reported in full, 1995 US App. Lexis 15200 (D.C. Cir. May 31, 1995).
This order is effective on November 21, 2022 and will remain in effect until further notice. Pursuant to 36 CFR Section 4.21, notice of this temporary reduction in speed will be made through media advisories, fencing and posting of signs at conspicuous locations in the affected park area. Finally, pursuant to 36 CFR Section (1.5), this determination is available to the public upon request.
Approval: Charles Cuvelier, Superintendent
