On Wednesday August 28th the Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and Call to Action event will take place from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Memorial.
Public Access: All public without tickets for the event will be able to access the Commemoration only from walking west into the area of the Reflecting Pool via the Elm walkway just north of the World War II Memorial off 17th Street.
ADA Access: The program organizers will provide free shuttles from the Foggy Bottom Metro to the event venue for ticketed participants with mobility issues. These shuttles will drop off at Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue.
Non-ticketed participants with mobility issues can access the event via the Elm walkway just north of the World War II Memorial off 17th Street.
Every effort is being made to minimize traffic delays during this event. Variable message boards will be put in place to increase awareness of closures.
Participants are encouraged to take public transportation and use Metro stations in downtown Washington, D.C. Please visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for more information on planning transportation (http://www.wmata.com)
SITE CLOSURES
These NPS sites will be closed beginning 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday August 28 until the end of the event expected to be around 4:00 p.m.
• Lincoln Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• World War II Memorial
• DC War Memorial
TRAFFIC/ROAD CLOSURES
The following road closures will go into effect at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday August 28th for U.S. Park Police primary jurisdiction.
Road closures will include pedestrian closures at each closure site. Commercial vehicles will not be permitted on Constitution Avenue between 1:00 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
• Arlington Memorial Circle will remain open, however, Arlington Memorial Bridge will be closed
• F Street traffic will be allowed to access the northbound lanes of the Rock Creek Parkway to eastbound Virginia Avenue
• Rock Creek Parkway from Virginia Avenue to Parkway Drive - It is recommended that drivers utilize Connecticut Avenue or 16th Street as an alternate route
• Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle
• Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street
• Ohio Drive from Inlet bridge to Parkway Drive, including the A, B and C parking lots
• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge will remain open, however users of the Ohio Drive exit will be forced to U-turn north onto the Potomac Freeway
• Maine Avenue from 15th Street to Independence Avenue, including Tidal Basin parking lot
• North and Southbound lanes of 17th Street between Independence Avenue and Constitution Avenue
• Daniel French Drive
• 23rd Street from Independence Ave to Constitution Ave
• Henry Bacon Drive
In addition the NPS roads closed above – the Metropolitan Police Department will be closing the following streets beginning at 3:00 am and should reopen by 6:30 pm
• Westbound ramp from I395 to Maine Avenue, SW-All traffic will be diverted to the 12th Street Tunnel
• Ramp from 9th Street tunnel to westbound Maine Avenue, SW-all traffic will be diverted to outbound I395
• 200 block Maiden Lane merge with Maine Avenue, SW-all traffic will be diverted to northbound 14th Street, SW
• Southbound Potomac River Freeway and ramp to Independence Avenue-traffic will be diverted to the outbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
• Ramp from eastbound Teddy Roosevelt Bridge to Independence Avenue NW
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
No parking restriction signs have been posted on Constitution Avenue from 17th Street to 23rd Street on the north and south side of the street.
AM TRAFFIC PATTERN
A modified traffic change will be in effect for the AM rush hour. All traffic changes on Rock Creek Parkway from Shoreham Hill to Virginia Avenue will be made in accordance with the Guideline Manual for traffic changes in the Washington Metropolitan area. All traffic from southbound Rock Creek Parkway will be forced to eastbound Virginia Avenue.
PM TRAFFIC PATTERN
The PM traffic change will be made at the conclusion of the event.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
As a security precaution, all items listed below will not be allowed onto the National Park Service property in conjunction with this event. Please note, the Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other items that are determined to be a potential public safety hazard:
• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Animals other than helper/guide dogs
• Backpacks
• Bags and signs exceeding size restrictions (8"x6"x4")
• Bicycles
• Balloons
• Coolers
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Glass or thermal containers
• Laser pointers
• Mace / Pepper spray
• Packages
• Structures
• Supports for signs and placards
• Weapons of any kind
GETTING THERE
Visitors are strongly advised to use public transportation. Metro stations near the National Mall and Memorial Parks, U.S. Capitol, and President’s Park that will remain open throughout the day include: Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Farragut North, Farragut West, Capitol South, L’Enfant Plaza, Union Station, Federal Center S.W., and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Pentagon. Up-to-date information can be found at www.wmata.com
METRO RIDERS PLEASE NOTE:
If you choose to participate in the bell ringing ceremony you should NOT plan to use the Arlington metro stop. The closest stop will be the Foggy Bottom stop.
VISITOR SERVICES
• Food, water, and refreshments will be available for purchase at concession stands in the area
• Portable restrooms, including ADA accessible restrooms, will be available
VISITOR SAFETY
Visitors should prepare for heat and sun. NPS recommends that visitors:
• Bring enough food and water for the entire day (water-bottle filling stations will be available)
• Drink plenty of water even when not thirsty
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing
• Use sunscreen
• Minimize consumption of beverages containing caffeine or alcohol
• Eat throughout the day
• Take frequent shade breaks
• Periodically get out of the heat and into air conditioning, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Reduce exertion during the hottest hours
• Bring extra medication.
FIRST AID STATIONS
• First aid stations will be located on both sides of the Reflecting Pool
• Cooling tents will be located on the north side of the Reflecting Pool
FAMILY REUNIFICATION
The USPP family reunification tent will be located on the south side of the Reflecting Pool, between the D.C. War Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Lost persons should be reported to any uniformed USPP officer or NPS ranger. Lost persons will be taken to the USPP family reunification tent.
EVENT QUESTIONS
Contact Phone - 800-311-7020 for general questions regarding ticketing or accessibility.
