US: Authorities to increase security around Washington, DC, due to the President's State of the Union address March 7

Authorities in Washington, DC, will heighten security around the US Capitol ahead of President Joseph Biden's annual State of the Union address to Congress March 7. Authorities have installed a security fence around the US Capitol and plan to close several roads in the area beginning 06:30 March 7, including:

• First Street between Constitution Avenue SW and Independence Avenue SW

• Maryland Avenue between First Street NW and Third Street SW

• Pennsylvania Avenue between First Street NW and Third Street NW

Additional roads will be closed starting 13:30:

• First Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE

• East Capitol Street between First Street and Second Street

First Street between Garfield Circle SW and Peace Circle NW will be closed to the public from 15:00.

Additional roads will be closed starting 17:30:

• Constitution Avenue between Louisiana Avenue NW and Second Street NE

• Independence Avenue between Washington Avenue SW and Second Street SE

• First Street between Constitution Avenue NW and Louisiana Avenue NW

• D Street between First Street NE and Second Street NE

• First Street between Independence Avenue SW and Washington Avenue SW

• Maryland Avenue between First Street NE and Constitution Avenue NE

• New Jersey Avenue between C Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW

Finally, the following roads will be closed beginning 19:00:

• Second Street between Constitution Avenue NE and Independence Avenue SE

• Constitution Avenue between Third Street NW and Louisiana Avenue NW

• First Street between C Street NW and Louisiana Avenue NW

• Independence Avenue between Third Street SW and Washington Avenue SW

• Washington Avenue between Independence Avenue SW and C Street SW

• Second Street between Washington Avenue SW and C Street SW

Most roads are likely to reopen by 23:30. Authorities have announced bus detours from 17:00.

A heightened security presence is almost certain in central Washington, DC, into early March 8. Localized transit, mass transit, and business disruptions are likely through at least early March 8.