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Saturday, May 2, 2026

Traffic Alert: May Day Protests, Beltway Bridge Repairs, and Ben’s Chili Bowl Reopening Impact DC-Area Roads

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The grand reopening of Ben’s Chili Bowl will result in the closure of U Street Northwest between 12th and 13th Streets. Additionally, demonstrations related to May Day will lead to temporary street closures in other parts of Washington, D.C.

Ben’s Chili Bowl, a beloved local establishment, will officially reopen on Friday following a comprehensive nine-month renovation.

The celebration for the grand reopening will feature a special ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by live go-go music. According to D.C. police, the event will necessitate the closure of the block on U Street Northwest between 12th and 13th Streets until 4 p.m.

First Amendment activities planned in Downtown D.C.

May 1 is recognized for labor demonstrations and protests, and D.C. police urge both drivers and pedestrians to be mindful of parking restrictions, street closures, and heightened activity in the Downtown area.

The following streets will be designated as emergency no-parking zones up until 4 p.m., as reported by police:

  • Constitution Avenue, from 17th Street to 15th Street NW
  • 15th Street, from Constitution Avenue to H Street NW
  • H Street, from 15th Street to 17th Street NW
  • 16th Street, from H Street to I Street NW
  • I Street, from 17th Street to 13th Street NW

From 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., additional streets are expected to experience temporary closures:

  • Constitution Avenue, from 17th Street to 14th Street NW
  • 15th Street, from Independence Avenue to I Street NW
  • H Street, from 14th Street to 17th Street NW
  • 16th Street, from H Street to K Street NW
  • I Street, from 16th Street to 13th Street NW

Furthermore, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., other temporary street closures may occur:

  • H Street, from 17th Street to 15th Street NW
  • I Street, from 17th Street to 15th Street NW
  • 16th Street, from H Street to K Street NW

Repairs to Beltway bridge set to begin in Prince George’s County

In Maryland, preparations are in place for significant repairs on the southbound bridge of Interstate 495 over the Amtrak tracks in Prince George’s County.

Weather permitting, the repair work is scheduled to commence on Saturday evening and is expected to conclude by May 17, as noted by officials from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. Repair crews will be on site Sundays through Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

During this period, drivers can anticipate lane closures, which may vary from single to triple lanes, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work is also planned over the weekend, but not during Mother’s Day weekend.

The agency advises that travelers allocate extra time for their journeys or consider alternative routes during overnight hours until the repairs are completed.

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