Part Of Rock Creek And Potomac Parkway Closed Until May 14

WASHINGTON, DC — An already congested portion of Rock Creek Parkway near the Kennedy Center is closed to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians until early Tuesday morning.

The closure — which officials say will last until 5:30 a.m. on May 14 — is expected to cause delays, especially during rush hours on Friday and Monday in the Foggy Bottom/West End area.

The Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway between Virginia Avenue NW and the Interstate 66/Potomac River Freeway interchange (behind the Lincoln Memorial) is closed to motorists.

A section of Rock Creek trail, between F Street NW at the Kennedy Center and the Roosevelt Bridge, is closed to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Here's what officials say commuters should expect:

• Drivers approaching from the north will follow a detour on Virginia Avenue, NW.
• Drivers approaching from the south will follow a detour onto the ramp that leads to Interstate 66/Potomac River Freeway.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists will follow detour signs at F Street NW at the Kennedy Center to Virginia Avenue and 23rd Street to the Lincoln Memorial.

Officials with the Kennedy Center say the closure is needed for the installation of a new pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. The pedestrian bridge, which is part of the Kennedy Center's REACH expansion, will give visitors direct access between the National Mall, the Kennedy Center, and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.

The bridge is scheduled to be open to foot and bike traffic on Sept. 7, 2019.