Beware, commuters: Wednesday evening's National Christmas Tree Lighting outside the White House will have street closures through the evening rush.
The following streets will be closed Wednesday from about noon to 8 p.m., D.C. police said:
- 17th Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue NW
- C Street NW between 17th and 18th Street NW
- D Street NW between 17th and 18th Street NW
- E Street NW between 17th and 18th Street NW
- F Street NW between 17th and 18th Street NW
- G Street NW between 17th and 18th Street NW
- New York Avenue between 17th and 18th Street NW
These streets will be closed from about 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday:
- Constitution Avenue NW between 18th Street and 14th Street NW
- 15th Street between H Street NW and Madison Drive NW (Traffic will still be allowed to go south on 15th Street from Madison Drive.)
- 17th Street between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue SW
- Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
- E Street NW between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
- F Street NW between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
- G Street NW between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
- New York Avenue NW between 14th Street and 15th Street NW
All street closures and listed times are subject to change.
Drivers could find delays in the area and may want to take alternate routes, police said. Drivers should also be aware of increased pedestrian traffic.
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Expect parking restrictions in the area; drivers should obey "emergency no parking" signs. Vehicles parked in violation of the signs will be ticketed and towed, police said.
Tickets for the event outside the White House are free but have already been distributed via online lottery.
The tree is a Colorado blue spruce from Virginia that is planted in President's Park on the Ellipse.
Antonio Sabàto Jr. will host the ceremony, with performers including Abby Anderson, Anthony Kearns, Dominican Sisters of Mary a.k.a. "Caroling Angels," Gabby Barrett, John Driskell Hopkins and Joe Gransden, LOCASH, Matthew West, Paul Cardall, Spensha Baker, Thompson Square and the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own."
