red states rule
01-08-2009, 07:52 AM
This is overkill. How will people get to work? The Pentagon will be cut off from the surrounding areas if this goes through
The Secret Service on Wednesday announced unprecedented security measures for the presidential inauguration, saying it will shut down all bridge crossings from Virginia into the District and establish a security perimeter that closes or limits vehicular access on 100 city streets.
AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John B. Townsend II predicted the bridge closings will overburden entry points to the city through Maryland and create gridlock throughout the metropolitan area.
"It's overkill," he said. "It totally cuts off access from Virginia. This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard of in my life. It just doesn't make sense."
The unprecedented measures are intended to ensure security for the Jan. 20 swearing-in of Barack Obama, the country's first black president - an event that is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors to Washington.
The Secret Service, which is leading the security effort, has enlisted the help of about 60 other agencies, including the National Guard and Metropolitan Police Department, which will double its staff of roughly 4,000 with officers from as far away as California.
The agency's plan - crafted with the help of at least 10 other law-enforcement agencies including the Virginia State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation - also restricts flights over the region and provides for the Coast Guard to patrol along the Potomac River.
As Inauguration Day begins just after midnight, officials will restrict traffic on the Key, the 14th Street, and Roosevelt bridges to buses, taxis, limousines and official vehicles. The Memorial and Chain bridges will be open to pedestrians
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/08/inauguration-nightmare-bridges-to-nowhere/
The Secret Service on Wednesday announced unprecedented security measures for the presidential inauguration, saying it will shut down all bridge crossings from Virginia into the District and establish a security perimeter that closes or limits vehicular access on 100 city streets.
AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John B. Townsend II predicted the bridge closings will overburden entry points to the city through Maryland and create gridlock throughout the metropolitan area.
"It's overkill," he said. "It totally cuts off access from Virginia. This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard of in my life. It just doesn't make sense."
The unprecedented measures are intended to ensure security for the Jan. 20 swearing-in of Barack Obama, the country's first black president - an event that is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors to Washington.
The Secret Service, which is leading the security effort, has enlisted the help of about 60 other agencies, including the National Guard and Metropolitan Police Department, which will double its staff of roughly 4,000 with officers from as far away as California.
The agency's plan - crafted with the help of at least 10 other law-enforcement agencies including the Virginia State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation - also restricts flights over the region and provides for the Coast Guard to patrol along the Potomac River.
As Inauguration Day begins just after midnight, officials will restrict traffic on the Key, the 14th Street, and Roosevelt bridges to buses, taxis, limousines and official vehicles. The Memorial and Chain bridges will be open to pedestrians
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/08/inauguration-nightmare-bridges-to-nowhere/