DCA and Potomac, Anacostia river closures coming for July 4
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Map courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-NCR
More restrictions are coming to D.C. as a result of America's 250th birthday celebrations, impacting a large portion of the Potomac River and flights at National Airport in the lead-up to July 4.
Why it matters: Locals are already dreading the traffic and impacts to their commute — and more hits are coming.
Zoom in: The portion of the Potomac between the Key Bridge to just south of the 14th Street Bridge — including the Tidal Basin — will be off-limits to boaters and kayakers from July 2 to July 5, the Coast Guard announced.
- Ferry and dinner cruise ships won't be allowed in that area during the morning of July 3 and from noon to midnight on July 4.
- The Anacostia will also close from the 11th Street Bridge to south of the Frederick Douglass Bridge on July 4 from 6pm to midnight.
Meanwhile, DCA flights will be impacted by airspace closures surrounding the July 4 events, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced.
- There will be no flights during the early afternoon on July 3, and no flights after noon on July 4.
- While some flights have already been adjusted, travelers during this period should be on the lookout for delays.
Zoom out: The closures coincide with Freedom 250's July 4 plan to set a Guinness record for the world's biggest fireworks show, starting at 9:40pm.
- Eight barges will be placed on the Potomac to launch additional fireworks, pushing out kayakers and over a thousand boaters who usually gather on the water.
- The supersized plans, expected to include a Trump rally, leveled-up security measures to what's usually reserved for presidential inaugurations.
Between the lines: The river restrictions are a major hit to paddlers and businesses who charter boats.
- Jack Maher, the founder of Sea Suite Cruises, told Axios earlier this month closing the river on July 4 is the "boat-world equivalent of Tysons being closed on Black Friday."
What's ahead: Other 250th events like a July 10 Great American State Fair flyover and parachute jump and the Grand Prix Aug. 22-23 could affect flights, too.