News Release

National Park Service adds safety features in Memorial Circle

Map of Memorial Circle safety improvements

News Release Date: September 21, 2020

Contact: Aaron LaRocca, 202-438-6619

McLean, Va.— The National Park Service (NPS) is taking action to make the roads and trails at Memorial Circle safer. Starting on Monday, Sept. 28 and until the end of October, drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists will see: 
 

• Higher visibility crosswalks. 

• New signage and rapid flashing beacons.  

• Clearer lane markings.

• Repaved road surface. 

“We’re making these improvements based on expert analysis, traffic studies and public input,” George Washington Memorial Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier said. “The changes will make it easier for drivers to navigate the area, while prioritizing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.”  
 

Most of the work will not require road closures, but construction workers may temporarily narrow lanes overnight and during off-peak hours. During the day, construction workers will stripe and install new signs. Work is not scheduled during the morning or evening rush hours.  

In addition, NPS will permanently close one of two ramps from South Arlington Boulevard to South Washington Boulevard to improve safety at a crosswalk. When this change happens, drivers should follow the signed route to the other ramp a few hundred yards beyond the closed ramp.  
 

The Memorial Avenue corridor is a major element of the system of public buildings, parks, memorials, bridges and drives that constitutes the monumental core of Washington, D.C. This construction work honors Memorial Circle’s original design and complements the work to rehabilitate Arlington Memorial Bridge. 
 

Once implemented, the NPS will monitor the effectiveness of these changes. You can read more about the plan and see diagrams at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/mctpea.