Street closures this weekend

While the fate of the National Cherry Blossom Parade hangs in the balance, parade organizers are trying to find a way to have the parade even if the government shuts down.  However, WUSA9 reports that all permits will be suspended if there is a government shutdown.

Assuming things go to plan, there will be a number of road closures this weekend.

First, the Sakura Matsuri - Japanese Street Festival will keep streets closed from 8:00 p.m. on Friday until 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed for the festival from 9th Street to 14th Street N.W.

Metrobus routes13F, 13G, 32, 36, 64, A11, P6, S2 and S4 detour from 8:00 p.m., Friday,  to 12:00 a.m.. on Saturday, on Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. between 9th and 14th Streets N.W. for the festival.

Second, the National Cherry Blossom Parade rehearsal will close the following streets at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday:

• 7th Street between Independence Ave S.W. & Pennsylvania Ave N.W.
• Constitution Ave between 6th Street N.W. & 9th Street N.W.

Then further street closures begin at 8:30 a.m. for the actual parade.  Constitution Avenue will be closed from 7th Street N.W. to 17th Street N.W.

Metrobus routes 5A, 13, 32, 34, 36, 52, 54, 64, 70, 80, P6, S2, S4, and V8 detour from 9:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, around Constitution Ave., N.W. between 7th and 17th Streets., N.W. for the parade.

The Walk for Hope will also take place on the National Mall, closing Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd Street N.W. and 4th Street N.W. from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Lastly, Ford's Theatre will be hosting the premiere of the movie The Conspirator, which will keep 10th Street N.W. closed between E and F Streets N.W. from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.

It will be a tough weekend to get around Penn Quarter.

Coupled with these road closures is the possibility of the government shutdown.  This means some or all of these road closures may not happen.   This uncertainty will be hard to alleviate; during a government shutdown, the D.C. Transportation website that updates with live traffic reports will not be updated.