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Letter to Joseph Clancy and Jonathan Jarvis, United States Secret Service - Danger to Cyclists and Pedestrians Caused by Repeated Pennsylvania Ave. Closures

Letter

Date: July 9, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation

Dear Director Clancy and Director Jarvis:

I have written to your office previously regarding pedestrian access to the Pennsylvania Avenue plaza area located in front of the White House. While I very much appreciate that the Secret Service and the National Park Service have added spikes to the top of the fence to prevent jumpers from penetrating the boundaries of the White House, bicyclists have been denied access to the Pennsylvania Avenue plaza and Lafayette Park area with no notice and for lengthy periods of time. The closures are also impacting pedestrians.

For example, beginning on June 8, the Secret Service closed bicycle and pedestrian access through the security check points via the Madison bollards. This closure forces bicycles onto heavily used, congested sidewalks. The current closure is expected to last at least another week, but with the frequency of these closures, another closure could happen at any time.

Aside from the frequency and length of the closures, another problem is the lack of information provided to residents and visitors alerting them to the closures and alternative routes. Now that Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House is no longer open to cars, the White House plaza has become a gathering place for residents and visitors to express their First Amendment rights and for taking pictures of the White House. The plaza is also a space where pedestrians and bicyclists can cross the city without the dangers associated with sharing the roadway with cars. Considering the importance of this pedestrian and bike thoroughfare, workers, residents, and tourists need advance notice of alternative routes in the event that access to the Pennsylvania Avenue plaza and Lafayette Park area is cut off.

I understand that particular threats to the White House may warrant temporary closures to Pennsylvania Avenue and Lafayette Park, but these closures should not be lengthy or without reason. I ask that the appropriate officials come to my office to discuss these closures. Please call my office to set up this meeting. My scheduler, Try Coburn, can be reached at (202) 225-8050.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton


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