The Key Bridge was closed in both directions “for an unknown duration” at the start of the evening rush hour.
An Arlington Alert message about the closure was sent out around 4:45 p.m.
“All lanes of Key Bridge heading into and out of Washington, DC, are shut down for an unknown duration. Expect delays and seek an alternate route,” said the alert.
Traffic cameras on the Arlington side showed crews setting up traffic cones to block all lanes heading to the bridge, and stopped traffic on N. Lynn Street approaching the span.
“The bridge will be shut down for a dignitary movement for the next few hours,” a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told ARLnow.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in Washington to meet with President Trump. The Ukraine embassy is located near the D.C. side of the Key Bridge. The bridge was also closed for a few hours in August due to a Zelensky visit.
Pedestrian traffic and outbound traffic heading from Georgetown to Rosslyn still appeared to be flowing as of 5:45 p.m.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, the bridge was back open, according to Arlington Alert. The bridge closed again Friday morning.
The Key Bridge has reopened to all traffic. https://t.co/YHBEVF1IaC
— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) October 17, 2025
