DC-area roads closing for May Day demonstrations, Beltway bridge repairs and Ben’s Chili Bowl reopening
Weekend road closures kicked off Friday with protests and the grand reopening of a historic D.C. eatery. But bridge work starting Saturday could snarl your weekend plans. Here’s what you need to know.
Weekend road closures kicked off Friday with protests and the grand reopening of an iconic D.C. eatery. But bridge work starting Saturday could snarl your weekend plans. Here’s what you need to know.
The original Ben’s Chili Bowl reopened after a nine-month renovation project. The grand reopening celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live go-go music. The event on U Street closed the block between 12th and 13th Streets until 4 p.m. on Friday.
First Amendment activity in Downtown DC
May 1 was also a day of labor action and protest, and D.C. police urged drivers and pedestrians to be aware of parking restrictions, street closures and increased activity in the Downtown area that closed several streets Friday.
The following streets experienced temporary closures on Friday through 8 p.m.
- H Street from 17th Street to 15th Street NW
- I Street from 17th Street to 15th Street NW
- 16th Street from H Street to K Street NW
Capital Beltway bridge repairs start Saturday in Prince George’s County
Maryland’s highway agency is preparing to start deck and joint repairs on the Interstate 495 southbound bridge over the Amtrak tracks in Prince George’s County.
A spokesman from the Maryland Department of Transportation said the part of the bridge that’s under construction is situated between Maryland Route 450, Exit 20 B-A, and U.S. Route 50 east, Exit 19-A, in Lanham, which heads toward Annapolis.
Weather permitting, the work is set to begin Saturday evening and should be complete by May 17, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration said. Repair crews will work Sundays through Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
While work is underway, drivers can expect single, double and triple lane closures on those days and times.
This weekend, MDOT said crews will close three right lanes on the Interstate 95/Beltway interloop starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday through 8 a.m. on Sunday. Work is not scheduled to take place over Mother’s Day weekend.
The agency recommended that drivers build extra time into their trips or take alternate routes overnight until the repairs are finished.
WTOP’s Abigail Constantino contributed to this report.
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