As Predicted Only A Limited Number of People Will Fit Along The Parade Route

Millions of people are expected to be in downtown Washington DC to watch inauguration.

However, some may not be able to get past the security checkpoints, due to the limited number of people that can fit in the space.

"Washington Post reported that the parade route has a capacity of 280,000 to 300,000 people, and that once that number is reached, checkpoints will be closed and no one else can enter the area around the parade route."

It appears that the millions estimated to show up, might want to also consider alternatives, if they are unable to view the parade around the National Mall.

Do not to push people to make your way through the crowd.

The last thing we need is a stampede and riots.

And remember that "The purpose of this inauguration is to honor the incoming president with formal ceremonies".

For additional details, here is a local news report:

Officials May Turn Away People From Parade Route

Washington Post Article on Transporation Plan

The Washington Post article on the transportation plan is worth reading.

Here is part of the article:

"When Virginians learned that the U.S. Secret Service and other top officials had decided to bar personal vehicles from every bridge from the commonwealth into the District on Inauguration Day, many felt the underlying message to them was this: Drop dead.

Or: Stay home.

Or: If you're going to try to come and see the first African American sworn in as president of the United States, well, good luck."

The complete article can be found at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803900.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

Congressmen Comment on Closing Virginia For Inauguration

NBC Washington is reporting:

"WASHINGTON -- Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.

Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, who represent northern Virginia, say medical personnel and hospitality workers who are scheduled to work the day President-elect Barack Obama takes office should be able to use the bridges.

"The secret service, they're insane," Moran told the Washington Post. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."

On Friday, Moran said "common sense" should be guiding the region's transportation policies, rather than "fear." He also said having only two bridges open to pedestrians is unacceptable.

The Secret Service announced the bridge closings Wednesday. In addition, about 3.5 square miles of downtown Washington will be closed to traffic starting the day before the inauguration.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she is concerned about the traffic plan."

Source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Rep-Moran-Secret-Service-Is-Insane.html



This report appears to conflict with an earlier NBC Washington report on the transportation plan, that we featured in Attending Events During Inauguration Week - This Is A Must Read!

"Only authorized vehicles – emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and for-hire limos - will be permitted on I-395 North and I-66 East within the Beltway."

Many emergency personnel will be arriving into DC through their agency and/or will be housed within DC during the week.

In addition, emergency vehicles, personnel, and other support systems will be prepositioned.

It is our hope that emergency vehicles from outside the region who are NOT part of emergency procedures for inauguration DO NOT use these roads to get family and friends into DC. This will only cause more confusion and an improper use of emergency vehicles.