Going to the inauguration? Better plan on doing a lot of walking.

[arcadian]

The Metro is going to be a complete nightmare. I don't think it's going to be free either which would cut down on a lot of hassle(I think D.C. has done this in the past). Anyway, it's going to be mobbed. I was up in October for the Marine Corp Marathon and the Rosyln station was packed, the line for the Metro stretched all the way around the block. The Marathon probably had in attendance of 300,000 runner and spectators. We decided to hoof it to a further out metro station. Any way you should plan on walking a lot if you want to get where you are going. Wear comfortable shoes. Good luck and I'll see you there! :hi:

[liberal N proud]

1. I was there for the 4th of July

The Smithsonian Metro stations were closed. I would expect similar actions but wider spread stations closed.

Any station inside the secure zone will be subject to closure.

[arcadian]

5. Metro Center is almost directly under Pennsylvania Ave.

It's gonna be crazy.

[williesgirl]

2. Not free - on rush hour schedules and FARES all day/night.

[MiniMe]

3. The red line has been hellish lately

Friday, a rail broke at Woodley Park, took 2 hours to get home because they were single tracking. This morning, there was a train broken down, another delay. Tonight, another train broken down. When I finally got on a train, the train in front of us broke down (doors) and the train had to offload. I shudder to think what Tuesday is going to be like. Glad that we have the day off. And even though we are several blocks outside of the "safe" zone, the secret is shutting down our parking garage the day before and not opening up on inauguration day. I will be parked in front of my TV in my jammies enjoying the inaugural activities.

[pdxmom]

4. It will definitely be a nightmare. My family lives and works in the area, and

they're expecting local news coverage to be similar to what happens during a natural disaster. Lots of employers are just shutting down because they don't think their employees can even get to work. My sister usually starts at 7:30 AM, and she figures, based on everything she's hearing and seeing, she will have to leave home at 4 AM to get there on time, so she's opting to work from home.

Metro was never designed to handle as many people as they are expecting. Cars aren't going anywhere near the city. Tour buses can get in, but are evidently already booked.

Good luck to those of you planning to be there.

[pokercat999]

6. From Virginia and south and west think about taking the VRE

(Virginia Railway Express) out of Manassas in the west and Fredericksburg in the south. Getting the train from the further most stop might get you a seat. Even if I lived in Springfield or Woodbridge I would think about driving south to go north. You may have to purchase tickets in advance.

Check it here: http://www.vre.org/