At the Secret Service briefing at the Convention Center last night, Federal and local officials answered questions about security precautions being taken for the Nuclear Secuity Summit next week. Officials have not yet determined where the detour signs will be posted outside of the security zones so uninformed motorists can avoid what will surely make streets around the security zone extremely congested for a couple of days. Local business owners were on hand to get clarification on parking and delivery procedures to avoid interruptions to their operations as much as possible. Sidewalks on the opposite side of the street from the Convention Center will be open for public pedestrian traffic; businesses in the ground level retail spaces in the Convention Center will only be open to government officials and summit attendees. Motorists who mistakenly leave their vehicles in the no parking zones will be saddened to find their vehicles towed very quickly. MPD will be stationed at intersections at the perimeter to address traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.

Although for two days there will be a lot of disruption to life as usual in the area, it does bring some peace of mind that the extra international, federal and local security in the area will almost guarantee two days when Shaw will be free of the usual violent nonsense we often experience.

It is also just plain cool that for one of the few times in history, outside of the United Nations, 50 heads of state from around the world will be on US soil — and Shaw is the host community for that event.

Nuclear Summit street closure map (download full size pdf)

Mt. Vernon Sq. station will be closed from 9 p.m., Sunday, April 11 through Tuesday, April 13; Metrobus, MetroAccess riders should expect lengthy waits and detours

The Mt. Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center Metrorail Station (Yellow and Green Lines) will close at 9 p.m., on Sunday, April 11, and will reopen at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14 due to security concerns associated with the international Nuclear Security Summit scheduled during that time at the Washington Convention Center. Trains will be able to pass through the station, but passengers will not be allowed to access the station.

The Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) will take place from Monday, April 12, 2010, through Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Security and transportation plans have been developed by a partnership of local and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies. Road closures, no parking areas, and changes to public transportation routes and public works services will be necessary during the NSS. Additions or updates to this plan may be made prior to the start of the event.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary during the event, please contact:
MPD Commander James Crane, James.Crane@dc.gov, (202) 439-6740
Metropolitan Police Department, 202-727-4383
District Department of Transportation, 202-671-3490
District Department of Public Works, 202-671-2375
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 202- 962-1051
Federal Aviation Administration, 202-267-3883
U.S. Coast Guard, 202-767-1194
U.S. Secret Service, 202-406-5708