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Leaders summit brings road, rail closures to downtown DC

Drivers, public transit riders, and pedestrians will all face impacts in the area of the Washington Convention Center from Dec. 7 through 17.

WASHINGTON — As leaders from across the African continent meet downtown, local commuters are having to change their ways to get around town. 

The beginning of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit caused headaches for drivers, public transit riders, and pedestrians around the Washington Convention Center on December 12. 

Most street closures will remain in place around the area until Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:01 a.m.

One woman named "Bridget," said it took her two hours to get to and from two different locations in Northwest DC because of the closures.

Another cyclist, named Matthew Schottlane, said he wasn't even aware the road closures would be happening.

“I’ve seen a ton of cars, way more than I’m used to," he said.

Credit: MPD


The following street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Sunday through Saturday, Dec. 17:   

  • Mount Vernon Place from 7th Street to 9th Street, NW  

The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday through Saturday, Dec. 17:

  • 7th Street from I Street to O Street, NW 

  • 8th Street from N Street to O Street, NW  

  • 9th Street from New York Avenue to O Street, NW  

  • K Street from 6th Street to 7th Street, NW  

  • K Street from 9th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • L Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • M Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • N Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • New York Avenue from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • Massachusetts Avenue from 9th Street to 10th Street, NW  

Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess services have also been impacted around the Washington Convention Center. The transit agency's Mt. Vernon Square Station closed Monday. Service will remain suspended there through Thursday, December 15.

Along with the station closure, DC Police have announced that, due to the security perimeter, shuttle buses also will not be provided to/from Mt Vernon Square. 

"Customers are encouraged to use the Gallery Place-Chinatown or Shaw-Howard U stations as an alternative," they said.

Riders should note that Gallery Place is approximately four blocks from the Mt Vernon Square Station and about a five-to-seven-minute walk.

In general, customers who use stations or bus routes in the area should allow additional travel time to account for detours and delays.

Metrobus routes were detoured beginning December 10 and will remain in effect through Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:01 a.m. 

Routes detoured include 70, 79, 74, 63, 64, D4, G8, S2.

In addition, as a result of the road closures, Metro’s real-time service information through BusETA and Metro’s Trip Planner may not accurately reflect the detoured service. 

MetroAccess customers should also be aware that door-to-door service will not be available within the security perimeter and delays are possible due to road closures in the area. 

"Efforts will be made to provide drop-off service as close as possible if traveling to/from a location in the restricted area," DC Police said.

Parking restrictions will last until Saturday, December 17.

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking:

  • 7th Street from Massachusetts Avenue to O Street, NW  

  • 9th Street from H Street to O Street, NW  

  • 10th Street from New York Avenue to N Street, NW  

  • 11th Street from H Street to L Street, NW  

  • 12th Street from K Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW  

  • 12th Street from H Street to I Street, NW  

  • 13th Street from H Street to I Street, NW  

  • H Street from 13th Street to 14th Street, NW  

  • K Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • Mount Vernon Place from 7th Street to 9th Street, NW  

  • L Street from 6th Street to 12th Street, NW  

  • M Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • N Street from 6th Street to 10th Street, NW  

  • Street from 6th Street to 9th Street, NW  

  • New York Avenue from 6th Street to 14th Street, NW  

  • Massachusetts Avenue from 6th Street to 13th Street, NW  

Residents and businesses inside the closure area are still accessible, according to DC Police, but cars and pedestrians may be required to undergo a security sweep prior to entering the area around the convention center.

For timely traffic information, please visit twitter.com/DCPoliceTraffic and signup for Alert DC at alertdc.dc.gov 

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