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Thinking of driving to Obama’s inauguration? Read this - Jan. 8, 2009
Security surrounding the presidential inauguration would paralyze the region, said Lon Anderson of the AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The security plan, which calls for closing all of the bridges from Virginia into the city, lacks provisions for mobility, Anderson said.
"I think the last time the bridges were closed like this, Lincoln was president and was worried about an invasion by General Lee," Anderson said.
According to Anderson, Democratic Rep. Jim Moran’s comment that the plan was "security on steroids" was appropriate.
Even though Jan. 20 has been declared a federal holiday, many people will still need to get into the city on Inauguration Day, said Anderson, who described Washington as a "busy, vibrant city."
"This is going to be a big, big workday for Washington," Anderson said of the city where hospitals, restaurants, hotels, security posts and transit agencies will be open for business.
Anderson said the security plan will exclude many who would need, or simply wish to go into Washington on Inauguration Day.
"Those responsible have overlooked a crucial element: sufficient mobility to allow all workers and visitors — even including those from across the river in Virginia — to have reasonable access to the capital city of the United States," Anderson said.
While everyone wants the president-elect and everyone else to be safe on Inauguration Day, safety requires a certain amount of mobility, Anderson said.
"Without providing consideration for reasonable mobility, and significant revisions to the security plan already announced, it appears our city will be a paralyzed security zone," Anderson said.
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