TRAFFIC ALERT: Planned Road Closures for July 4, 2022 Celebration

Arlington County VA Government sent this bulletin at 06/27/2022 02:20 PM EDT

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Planned Road Closures for July 4, 2022 Celebration

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department, Virginia State Police, United States Park Police, and Virginia Department of Transportation will close multiple roadways on Monday, July 4, 2022. These closures are designed to facilitate the safe passage of large crowds for the Independence Day events and fireworks.

In addition to the below closures, Arlington National Cemetery, in collaboration with the Air Force District of Washington, will close public access to the Southern Expansion portion of Arlington National Cemetery on July 4, which includes access to the Air Force Memorial.

Road Closures

6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Memorial Bridge / Memorial Circle

4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Marshall Drive, from Route 110 to N. Meade Street
N. Meade Street, from Marshall Drive to N. Fairfax Drive (access to the Ft. Myer Heights neighborhood will be from the Rhodes Street bridge – local traffic only)
Exit ramp from westbound Route 50 to N. Lynn Street (Rosslyn exit)
Exit ramp from eastbound Route 50 to N. Meade Street (Rosslyn exit)
Eastbound N. Fairfax Drive, from N. Pierce Street to N. Fort Myer Drive

6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Columbia Pike, between S. Oak Street and Rotary Road
S. Joyce Street, between Army Navy Drive and Columbia Pike
Exit ramp from westbound Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike (Air Force Memorial)
Southgate Road, from Oak Street to S. Joyce Street

9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Exit ramp from westbound Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike/S. Orme Street
Exit ramp from westbound Washington Boulevard to westbound Columbia Pike (Bailey’s Crossroads exit near the Sheraton Hotel)
Exit ramp eastbound Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike/S. Queen Street

Additional road closures not mentioned above may be implemented at police discretion in the interest of public safety. Street parking in these areas will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs and illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, please call the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222.

Celebrating July 4^th in Arlington County

To ensure a happy and safe celebration, residents and visitors are reminded of the following:

Alcoholic beverages, grills, and fireworks are prohibited on County and Federal parkland during Independence Day events.
Non-approved vendors will not be allowed in the area of the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).
Coolers and backpacks will be subject to search upon entry to the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) and Long Bridge Park.
Hot and humid conditions are anticipated. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen and seek shade as needed.
The Washington Metropolitan area, including the entirety of Arlington County, is designated a “no-drone zone” by the Federal Aviation Administration.
There are no known threats to the area. Our community is safest when everyone is engaged and alert. If you see something, say something® by reporting suspicious behavior to police for investigation.

Arlington County Police will be located at the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Long Bridge Park, and Air Force Memorial conducting road closures and providing safety and security at the venues.

Getting Around on July 4^th

Attendees are strongly encouraged to use public or multimodal forms of transportation. The Rosslyn Metro stop on the Orange Line is approximately 5 blocks north of the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).

Motorists should expect significant delays, particularly leading up to and after the fireworks display. The Arlington County Police Department is reminding drivers that stopping or standing in a lane of traffic to observe the fireworks is illegal and violators may be issued a citation. Additionally, parking on the shoulders of Route 110 and Route 50 in both directions is prohibited and will be strictly enforced. Unattended vehicles found in violation will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.

Plan for a Sober Ride Home

Each year, Independence Day is celebrated across the Country with family, friends, food, and fireworks. Unfortunately, the festivities turn tragic on the nation’s roadways when drunk drivers take to the streets after the parties end. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 493 people died throughout the United States in motor vehicle crashes over the July 4 holiday period in 2020 (6 p.m. July 2 – 5:59 a.m. on July 6, 2020). Of these fatalities, 41% occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. If you plan to go out and enjoy the evening with alcohol, make sure you plan ahead with a sober ride home.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) 2022 July 4 SoberRide® program, in partnership with Lyft, will be offered from 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4, until 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. For additional information on WRAP’s program to ensure area residents have a safe way home on high-risk holidays, visit their website.

Stay Informed

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