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Jan 8, 2009 11:35 AM

With Washington DC gearing up for the January 20 inauguration of Barack Obama as US President, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking public comments on the temporary closure of several Interstate highways in the area, according to information published in the Federal Register.

The closings would begin at 12 am January 20 and continue for a 24-hour period. FHWA said in the notice that as a result of the inauguration activities, the number of participants and spectators is expected to reach 2-4 million, overwhelming both the roadway and transit networks in the District of Columbia, and will create a safety hazard for commercial traffic to traverse these routes during that time.

The agency said it also is making the request for the purposes of safety and security in and around the Capitol Building as well as for the critically needed space to park a portion of the expected 10,000 buses bringing people into the Washington area.

I-395 would be closed to all traffic except motor coaches and buses from the 14th Street Bridge to New York Avenue. I-695 would be closed from from the Third Street Tunnel to the 11th Street Bridges. I-295 would be closed from I-695 to DC-295. I-395 would be closed to general purpose traffic at New York Avenue up to the 14th Street Bridge. I-695 would be closed to general purpose traffic at the 11th Street Bridges. I-295 would be closed to general purpose traffic at Pennsylvania Avenue.