Dozens of heads of state and government, along with thousands of other attendees, are expected to converge this week for the first NATO summit hosted by the District in 25 years. And with that comes closed Metro stations, blocked streets and detoured bus routes.
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NATO summit 2024
D.C. is hosting the 2024 NATO summit from July 9 to 11. Here’s what to know about D.C. road closures and detours as residents endure the diplomatic Super Bowl’s traffic.
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The summit, from Tuesday to Thursday, will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with additional events at the Mellon Auditorium and the White House. Each building will be surrounded by a security perimeter, described by law enforcement as a “multi-layered buffer” that will include “law enforcement officers, physical barriers, and vehicle and pedestrian screening checkpoints.”
Some of the measures began as early as 8 a.m. Saturday, and the removal of security infrastructure will begin early Friday, after the summit wraps up. At a news briefing last week, D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said: “Let me put it simply: Next week is not going to be a regular week in D.C.”
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Here’s everything you need to know:
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a political and military alliance of 32 mostly European nations, along with the United States and Canada. Dozens of foreign leaders will descend on D.C. this week for an agenda focused on support for Ukraine and its path toward NATO membership, as well as alliance unity, burden-sharing and modernization.
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The summit is projected to be a key test of President Biden’s global leadership after a faltering debate performance raised concerns among alliance members as he campaigns for reelection against Donald Trump, who has shown disdain for the organization.
How will the summit affect traffic?
It will be quite the hassle to drive downtown this week, and officials are urging people to use public transportation whenever possible. There is a complicated web of road closures and heightened security that could make an otherwise easy drive very difficult.
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If you’re driving to a residential or business parking lot within a closed area, you should expect to show identification and undergo a security inspection by law enforcement.
How will Metro be affected?
Although the Federal Triangle station will be closed Tuesday and the Mount Vernon Square station will be closed between 11 a.m. Tuesday and 5 a.m. Friday, trains are still running and will bypass those stations. This means northbound Yellow Line trains will end one stop early at Gallery Place.
Will sidewalks be blocked?
Yes. Be mindful of the street closures and how the increased security screenings could add time to your commute. To visit businesses in the closed area, there will be pedestrian checkpoints at Ninth and N streets NW, Seventh Street and New York Avenue NW, K Street and Techworld Plaza NW, and Seventh and M streets NW.
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Nonmotorized bicycles and small scooters will be able to enter the vehicle screening area but not the area restricted for pedestrians.
Will there be changes to bus routes?
Your usual route may look a little different. Metro is detouring more than 20 routes from 8 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Thursday. The affected routes include 3F, 3Y, 11Y, 16E, 16Y, 32, 33, 36, 52, 59, 63, 64, 70, 74, 79, D4, D6, G2, G8, P6, S2, X2 and the Red Line shuttle.
Can I bring a bag into the security perimeter?
Yes, but there are restrictions. Those include backpacks larger than 18 inches by 13 inches by 7 inches, any nonplastic container or bottle, any umbrella with a metal tip, canned goods and weapons. You can find a more comprehensive list here.
How does this affect ride hailing, taxis and delivery services?
Ride hailing, taxis and hot food delivery can continue as usual, but drivers will need to enter through the marked vehicle screening points and undergo security checks.
How bad will the airport be?
You should plan to arrive two hours before departure for domestic travel and three hours for international flights — the same guidance the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority always recommends for travelers, said Crystal Nosal, a spokesperson for the authority, which operates Dulles International and Reagan National airports.
Can federal employees work from home?
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management encouraged agencies to allow employees to work remotely during the summit because of “significant impacts to vehicular traffic and commute times,” according to a July 1 letter.
