News Release

The National Park Service is improving access to and through the National Mall

News Release Date: June 9, 2021

Contact: Mike Litterst, 202-306-4166

Washington – The National Park Service (NPS) is undertaking a number of projects over the next year to improve accessibility and safety and create seamless connections across the National Mall. This work will rehabilitate trails and roads, and it will feature new and enhanced infrastructure for park visitors walking and bicycling. 

Drivers and trail users should expect temporary closures and detours. The work will involve repaving roads and trails including: 

• 17^th Street between Independence Avenue SW and Constitution Avenue NW. 

Repaving –  Summer to Sept. 2021

Lane Closures – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.  
 

• Eastbound Independence Avenue SW between 23^rd Street SW and 14^th Street SW. 

Repaving – Summer to Sept. 2021

Lane Closures – 7 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  

• 15^th Street Cycle Track between Constitution Avenue and East Basin Drive 

Road marking – Summer to fall 2021 

Lane Closures - Weekdays from morning to evening

• Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between the Virginia Avenue NW and Parkway Drive NW. 

Repaving – Spring 2022 

Lane Closures – 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. 
 

• Rock Creek Trail along the Potomac River between Virginia Avenue NW and Parkway Drive NW. 

Repaving – June 2021 to Spring 2022 

Intermittent trail closures with signed detours. 

• West Potomac Park multi-use trail along the Potomac River between Independence Ave SW and George Mason Memorial. 

Repaving – June 2021 to Spring 2022 

Intermittent trail closures with signed detours. 

As part of these projects, the NPS will: 

• Build a new multi-use trail tunnel through the eastern bridge supports (abutment) of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.  
• Install new crosswalks on Independence Avenue SW at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and on Constitution Avenue NW at 18^th Street NW. 
• Replace curb ramps and crosswalk push buttons to meet modern accessibility standards. 
• In coordination with the District Department of Transportation, extend the 15th Street NW Cycletrack (a two-way protected bike lane) between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and East Basin Drive SW.
• Improve the volleyball courts on Parkway Drive by repaving existing footpaths, installing new poles, netting, and a drinking fountain and planting new sod and trees. Scheduled completion around Labor Day 2021. 
• Enlarge and enhance the green space at the Belvedere, the historic end of Constitution Avenue NW. 
• Plant new trees along the Rock Creek Trail along the Potomac River between Virginia Avenue NW and Parkway Drive NW. 

The NPS strives to lead the region in providing exceptional outdoor experiences. We seamlessly link richly diverse places of natural and historic significance in the national capital area while providing safe and enjoyable experiences for people to walk, run, bike and have fun with friends and family. 
 

Check go.nps.gov/NAMATrailsAndRoads to see a map of the project area as well as renderings of upcoming improvements, and to get updates on our progress. Follow our Facebook and Twitter to learn more about National Mall and Memorial Parks.