NEWS: District Prepared to Celebrate Fourth of July Holiday

District Prepared to Celebrate Fourth of July Holiday

Washington, DC – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced today that the District of Columbia is fully prepared to provide residents a safe and happy Independence Day holiday. Every year, hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors watch the fireworks on the National Mall over the Reflecting Pool. This year, the fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:10 pm.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT), The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) strongly urge travelers to use public transportation in and around the District on Friday to avoid closures and traffic delays and parking restrictions. Residents of the District should be advised of the following street closures and parking restrictions regarding annual Fourth of July celebrations on Friday. All road closures will remain in effect until the size and dispersal of the crowd is such that traffic can flow safely.

The Memorial Bridge will be closed from 6 am to 10 pm on Friday, July 4. In order to minimize the traffic disruption the 14th Street Bridge and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge will be closely monitored and will only be closed in the event that officials feel there is a safety hazard during the fireworks display. Parking or stopping on either of the bridges is strictly prohibited.


Emergency No-Parking:
Parking will be restricted in the following locations from 5 am to 11 pm on Friday, July 4, 2007:

* 3rd Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW
* 4th Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW
* 7th Street, from Independence to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (both sides)
* 14th Street, from Independence to Constitution Avenue, NW (both sides)
* Constitution Avenue (both sides), from Pennsylvania Avenue, west to 23rd Street, NW
* Southbound 12th Street, SW, between Independence Avenue and C Street
* Westbound C Street, SW between 12th and 14th Street
* Westbound Virginia Avenue, SW, between 6th and 7th Street
* Northbound 7th Street, SW, between Virginia and D Street (right curb lane)
* Maryland Avenue between 6th and 7th Street
* Southbound 10th Street, NW, between Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
* Northbound 14th Street, NW, between Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue
* C Street, NW, from 17th to 18th Street (both sides)
* Virginia Avenue, NW, from Constitution Avenue to 21st Street (both sides)
* Independence Avenue, SW, between 12th and 14th Street (both sides)
* Southbound 14th Street, SW, between Independence and C Street, SW (right curb lane)
Streets Closed from 6 am to 11 pm:
* 4th Street from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
* 7th Street from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
* 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Maine Avenue, SW
* 17th Street from Independence Avenue to E Street, NW
* 19th Street, NW, from C Street to Constitution Avenue
* 21st Street, NW, from C Street to Constitution Avenue
* 23rd Street, NW, from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
* Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street
* Independence Avenue from 14th Street to 23rd Street
Streets Closed from approx. 11:30 am to 11 pm:
* 3rd Street from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW (when pedestrian flow dictates)
* 14th Street from Independence Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
9th and 12th Street Tunnel
* The 9th Street Tunnel and the 12th Street Tunnel will remain open except during the Independence Day Parade, which will begin at approximately 11:45 am and continue until approximately 2:30 pm.


To avoid traffic congestion and crowds on the National Mall, members of the public can take advantage of the many areas around the District where the fireworks are also visible. Some of the best places around the District to view the fireworks are:

* Lincoln Memorial
* Jefferson Memorial
* National Ellipse
* Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
* McKinley Technical Senior High School – parking lot and main lawn
* Cardozo Senior High School—11th Street side


The District reminds residents to practice caution and follow all safety rules if using fireworks in their home celebrations. In the District of Columbia any fireworks or firecrackers that explode such as cherry bombs, roman candles, or floral shells are illegal.


To reduce injures, the Fire and EMS Department recommends the following safety tips:

* Always read and follow label directions.
* Always have an adult present.
* Only ignite fireworks outdoors.
* Always have water or sand nearby to extinguish fireworks after use.
* Never experiment or attempt to make fireworks.
* Light fireworks one item at a time.
* Never relight malfunctioning or dud fireworks.
* Store fireworks out of the reach of children.
* Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
* Never throw fireworks at another person.
* Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
* Stand at least 15 feet from burning cones and fountains.
* Do not light fireworks near combustibles, such as gasoline, newspapers, etc.
* Do not ignite fireworks that have been wet and then dried.
* Do not light fireworks at any place other than the fuse.
* Do not use illegal fireworks.
* Only use items that have the label clearly listing the manufacturer’s name, address, and warnings.


For more information regarding firework safety, visit the District Fire and EMS website at www.fems.dc.gov or the Metropolitan Police Department at www.mpdc.dc.gov.