State of the Union to Close Streets Near the Capitol Tonight

The streets surrounding the Capitol Building will be closed to cars and pedestrians tonight in preparation for President Obama’s State of the Union address.

The closures go into effect starting at 6 p.m., in advance of the speech scheduled at 9 p.m. Here’s what will be closed, according to U.S. Capitol Police:

Streets open only to authorized pedestrians starting at 6 p.m.:

• First Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
• Independence Avenue between First Street, SW and First Street, SE
• First Street between Independence Avenue, SE and Constitution Avenue, NE
• Constitution Avenue between First Street, NE and First Street, NW

Streets closed to cars starting at 7 p.m.:

• North Side of Capitol Square
• D Street, NE between Second Street, NE & Louisiana Avenue, NW
• C Street, NE between Second Street, NE & Louisiana Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue between Second Street, NE & Louisiana Avenue, NW
• Delaware Avenue, NE between Columbus Circle, NE & Constitution Avenue, NE
• New Jersey Avenue, NW between Louisiana Avenue & Constitution Avenue, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue between First Street & Third Street, NW
• East Capitol Street between Second Street & First Street, NE/SE
• First Street, NE between Columbus Circle, NE & C Street, SE
• First Street, NE between Louisiana Avenue, NW & Washington Avenue, SW
• Second Street, NE between Constitution Avenue & East Capitol Street, NE
• Maryland Avenue, NE between First Street & Constitution Avenue, NE
• South Side of Capitol Square
• Maryland Avenue, SW between First Street, & Third Street, SW
• Independence Avenue between Second Street, SE & Washington Avenue, SW
• C Street between First Street, SE & Washington Avenue, SW
• Delaware Avenue, SW between Washington Avenue, SW & C Street, SW
• New Jersey Avenue, SE between Independence Avenue & D Street, SE
• South Capitol Street between Independence Avenue & D Street, SE/SW

The Capitol Visitor Center closes today at noon. The House Gallery will be open until 5:30 p.m. The Senate Gallery will be open until 6 p.m.

The closures will be lifted once tonight’s event is complete.

Photo via Flickr/remembertobreathe