Can D.C. Handle Inaugural Crush?

Some 2 Million People Expected; Logistical Nightmare Possible

(CBS)  More than 2 million people are expected to descend on Washington for Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday.

Is the nation's capital prepared?

Officials are urging everyone planning to be there to have a plan ready for getting around town.

As reporter Bruce Leshan of CBS D.C. affiliate WUSA-TV reported on The Early Show Wednesday, the flags are up on the inaugural platform. Fences and barricades are deployed. Even the porta-potties have arrived.

But if you're coming -- brace for a huge hassle.

D.C. is known for terrible traffic, but the inauguration forecast is for near gridlock, with warnings going out to drivers for hundreds of miles around the city.

How will Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley go about his business? "I plan to come here with the police," he joked with reporters.

Leshan says Virginia will be "nearly as cut off from Washington as it was in the Civil War. All five Potomac bridges will be restricted or closed entirely. And so will the major Interstates into the city."

Dulles International Airport is setting aside a runway to park private planes.

And if a million people try to leave by way of Washington's subway system, it could take them eight hours to get home.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine says visitors will need to need to make a plan or risk getting stuck.
"You might be able to see the Capitol where the inauguration is taking place, but not be able to get there from here," Kaine told a news conference.

Just under a quarter of a million people will be getting actual tickets to the inaugural stand on the West Front of the Capitol. But millions more may watch on Jumbotrons set up along the National Mall.

Bill Hanbury, of "Destination DC" suggests that, "Anybody coming to the inauguration bring a gigantic dose of patience, because there'll be unprecedented security, and a tremendous amount of logistical challenges both from our metro and transportation systems. But ... we're well prepared to do these kinds of events."

President Bush has now declared a State of Emergency for D.C. for Saturday through next Wednesday but, notes Leshan, that's mostly just to help pay for security costs that could run to $75 million.

"If you do want to come," Leshan points out, "Amtrak, buses, taxis, bicycles and just walking are all possibilities."

He says you should also be aware of the possibility of "cell phone gridlock" if too many people attempt to call or send photos from D.C. that day.

The forecast, incidentally, is for 28 degrees, with high winds and flurries.

To see the CBSNews.com Special Report: Inauguration ‘09, click here.

[juangalt]

Obama could change water into wine and to cut down on the liquor expense.

[daffy64]

75 million could help a lot of people, and fund schools, new ones that need to be built.

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Very true. But the trillion spent on the needless Iraq "war" would have gone a lot further. Bye Bushie. I think people are willing to celebrate THIS turnover. Yeehaw.

[cmp271]

The money wasted on security is being paid for by the taxpayer who can ill afford to support themselves.

WE THE PEOPLE are lumbered with this expense. 75 million could help a lot of people, and fund schools, new ones that need to be built.

This proves this guy is nothing but a fraud. He cares not about the people but his own big party at our expense. Maybe Obama should have to pay the bill!! Is this idiot still taking the train from Philadelphia? Who is paying for that one?? He should!!! Or the morons who put him in office.

[valentin73]

Just think more than half of these people are government representatives, politicians, bureaucrats, journalists and other media people.

Poor little popular boy- media darling -
Barack Obama.

I bet he did not account for this mega stardom which people have catapulted him to, sad, and now he and all of them must deal with Inagural crisis............though!

[enviro_wacko]

Why not just take all of this wasted money and give it to the ones that need it?

Posted by specialty8 at 10:25 AM : Jan 14, 2009

Why not just shut up and not show your ignorance?

[enviro_wacko]

What a huge waste of precious resources.

Posted by likeitis5050 at 10:43 AM : Jan 14, 2009

Is that any way to talk about yourself?

[likeitis5050]

Stay home and glue yourself to the tv....it''s not like there will be anything else on for the entire time. What a huge waste of precious resources.

[specialty8]

Why not just take all of this wasted money and give it to the ones that need it?