DC braces for ‘Concert for Valor’ gridlock

A Veterans Day music festival expected to draw masses to the National Mall will make getting around the capital Tuesday a challenge for many, as authorities suspend train service and close many streets surrounding the event.
 
As many as 800,000 people are expected to descend on the mall for HBO’s “Concert for Valor,” which would be roughly the same number of people who attended President Obama’s second inauguration in 2013.
 
The concert, which will be free and broadcasted live, will feature performances from artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna and Eminem.
 
{mosads}The star-studded show is prompting a host of transportation changes in the nation’s capital, where most government workers will be off, but many private sector employees will still be traveling to work.
 
The National Park Service and the United States Park Police are closing 17 streets that are near the national mall in response to the expected influx of people.
 
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is meanwhile suspending service on its Blue line for the first time in the agency’s 38-year history and closing the station named for the Smithsonian museums that is located in the middle of the National Mall.
 
The agency says it has to shutter the Blue line to make way for increased service on five of six lines on a holiday that it normally uses to prepare maintenance work on its tracks.  WMATA plans to keep multiple stations open later than its usual midnight weekday closing time.

“On Veterans Day, Tuesday November 11, a major concert will be held on the National Mall that could draw up to 800,000 attendees — larger than July 4 and many presidential Inaugurations,” the agency said in a statement. “In order to safely and efficiently provide rail service for as many riders as possible, Metro will make several service adjustments to maximize train capacity.”
 
The elimination of trains on the Blue line has galled Metro passengers who have already endured service cuts earlier this year to make for the agency’s new Silver line that was opened in July.
 
“Blue line cuts already cost riders 50,000 [hours] & now Metro is closing Blue for Veteran’s Day. Tell @wmata this is unacceptable,” a group called “Save the Blue Line” that was formed in response to the earlier service cuts tweeted when the agency’s Veteran’s Day plans were first announced.
 
HBO says it hosting the concert “to bring artists, celebrities and millions of Americans together to honor the courage and sacrifice of veterans, active duty service members and families.”
 
“The Concert for Valor will provide a national stage for ensuring that veterans and their families know that their fellow Americans’ gratitude is genuine,” the network said on its website. “Millions of people, including veterans, active duty service members, their families and Americans from all walks of life are expected to watch the free concert in person or on television, with the goal of raising awareness for veterans service organizations dedicated to education, wellness, reemployment and reintegration.”
 
Supporters of the “Save The Blue Line” campaign are lamenting the loss of service on the Metro line that directly services Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, though the agency has said that it will run shuttle trains between Reagan National Airport and the cemetery.
 
“Metro will provide both rail and bus service to Arlington Cemetery throughout the day,” the capital area transit agency said. “Special trains will run continuously from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. between Arlington Cemetery and Reagan National Airport, making stops at Pentagon (Yellow Line transfer point), Pentagon City and Crystal City stations. Also, riders can take free shuttle bus service to Arlington Cemetery from either Rosslyn or Pentagon stations. Buses will depart every 12 minutes from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.”
 
The Blue line riders’ advocacy group was hardly convinced, however.
 
“If you want to visit Arlington [Cemetery] on Veteran’s Day, walking from Rosslyn may be faster than transferring twice & using the @wmata shuttle,” the group tweeted.