Heavy traffic and some road closures are expected around Arlington National Cemetery this weekend as volunteers lay holiday wreaths at thousands of headstones.
Following record turnout and traffic backups during Family Pass Holder Day last Sunday, the cemetery is, as usual, encouraging volunteers to take the Metro to either Rosslyn or the Pentagon on Saturday. The Arlington Cemetery Metro stop will also be open, but congestion is expected there.
The cemetery opens to visitors at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and convoy of 75 tractor-trailers and “numerous support vehicles” will begin delivering wreaths tomorrow (Friday) for the annual Wreaths Across America event.
The following roads will be closed from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Arlington County Police Department.
- Marshall Drive, between N. Meade Street and Route 110, will be closed and restricted to authorized traffic only.
- N. Meade Street will be closed from 14th Street N. to Marshall Drive, except for local residents.
- Columbia Pike will be closed from S. Joyce Street to Rotary Road and restricted to authorized traffic only.
Northbound S. Eads Street will also be closed from 6-6:45 a.m. between 15th Street S. and 18th Street S. Further road closures may be implemented along I-395 or GW Parkway, or in the vicinity of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and the Pentagon.
Last weekend’s event brought congestion to major roads around the cemetery, resulting in delays for some visitors.
“The public can anticipate large crowds and heavy pedestrian traffic related to the event,” ACPD said in a press release. “Traffic is expected to be impacted in and around the immediate area and motorists are advised to allot for extended travel times and seek alternate routes to reduce road congestion.”
Tram and gravesite shuttle service will be limited tomorrow, and there won’t be any service on Saturday.
More information for visitors at this year’s event is available on Arlington National Cemetery’s website and in the following video.
