News Release

Closure on Pennsylvania Avenue to be expanded for public safety during White House fence construction

Date: August 20, 2019
Contact: Katie Liming, 202-619-7156
Contact: Office of Communication and Media Relations (USSS), 202-406-5708

Beginning on Aug. 21, 2019, the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the National Park Service (NPS) will expand the Pennsylvania Avenue NW closure in front of the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed from West Executive Avenue to East Executive Avenue for public safety during construction of the new fence. Lafayette Park, the north sidewalk of Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Place NW and Madison Place NW will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.  

As construction continues on the north section of the White House fence, heavy machinery and large vehicles frequently drive through Pennsylvania Avenue. The closure will be expanded to protect pedestrians and cyclists throughout the construction of the north portion of the fence, which is expected to continue through March 2020.

Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use caution on the north sidewalk of Pennsylvania Avenue due to increased foot and bike traffic. 

The USSS and NPS have been working since 2014 to develop an appropriate barrier that will keep the White House and grounds as accessible as possible to the public while ensuring the security of the White House and its occupants. Construction on the fence began on July 8 and is expected to continue into 2021.

Visitors are encouraged to view the White House south lawn from the Ellipse throughout the Pennsylvania Avenue closure.

The National Park Service will continue to issue permits for demonstrations in Lafayette Park. Scheduled tours of the White House will continue as planned.

To learn more about this project and the history of the White House fence, visit go.nps.gov/WhiteHouseFence.