Protest Street Closures Expected to Cause Delays

By Christina Pino-Marina
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Friday, April 11, 2003; 6:48 AM

Street closures in downtown Washington are expected to cause some inconveniences for area drivers this morning and through the weekend as District police prepare for a series of scheduled street demonstrations.

In anticipation of protest against this weekend’s International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, District police in Northwest closed 19th Street between G Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street between 18th and 20th streets at 6 a.m. Police have not said when those roads will be opened again.

Anti-war group marches on Saturday will prompt street closures from Freedom Plaza to Farragut Square, by way of Pennsylvania Avenue, 9th, 15th, 16th, 18th, H, K, M and Eye streets, and Connecticut Avenue. On Sunday, protesters plan to march from 16th and Euclid Streets, Northwest, to the World Bank – a demonstration that could cause traffic congestion on 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th, H and Eye streets. New York and Connecticut avenues could also be affected.

In addition to protests against the IMF and World Bank, anti-war and pro-troop demonstrations are also scheduled to take place. District police said they would announce additional street closures if they are necessary.

Newspaper vending machines and garbage cans have been removed near the World Bank offices. Mary Myers with the D.C. Department of Public Works says crews began removing newspaper racks and garbage cans from the area around the Bank at 18th and Pennsylvania.

Myers said crews will be on standby today, tomorrow and Sunday with extra staff and equipment to clean the streets if necessary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.