Street closings for the Pope:

On Wednesday April 16, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Pope Benedict XVI will visit President Bush at the White House. After this visit there will be a parade to the Vatican Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue. Security arrangements associated with Pope Benedict XVI’s arrival and departure include numerous street closings, particularly in the vicinity of the White House. Although the Metropolitan Police Department anticipates street closings to be for short durations,.

The following streets will be closed to accommodate Pope Benedict XVI’s movement to and from the White House:

· Pennsylvania Avenue from 17th Street N.W. to Rock Creek Parkway will be closed from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

· Cross streets one block north and one block south of Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.

· Rock Creek Parkway from Pennsylvania Avenue to Waterside Drive (Massachusetts Avenue) will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

· Massachusetts Avenue from Columbia Avenue to Observatory Circle (South) will be closed from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.

Sidewalks immediately in front of the White House, Lafayette Park and Washington Circle will be closed to pedestrians prior to and during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the White House and parade to the Vatican Embassy.

In addition, the following streets will be closed temporarily to accommodate Pope Benedict’s afternoon travel:

· 4th Street from 3211 4th Street to Michigan Avenue will be closed from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

· Michigan Avenue from Monroe to Irving Street will be closed from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, Pope Benedict XVI will be offering Mass on April 17, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Nationals Park in Washington. Nationals Park will open at 5:15 a.m. to accommodate the more than 46,000 people who are expected to attend. As a result, Metro will begin offering subway service at 5:00 a.m.

As with any special event, additional restrictions may be imposed without advance notice. For last minute street closures listen to WTOP Radio (1500 AM or 103.5 FM) or visit www.wtopnews.com and click on “Traffic.” Updates will also be posted to “Street Closures” at www.dc.gov/closures .