Officials Predict Traffic Jam Near White House

WASHINGTON — Closing Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House will snarl traffic in a horn-honking, temper-flashing, bumper-to-bumper headache for commuters and tourists, District of Columbia officials warned Sunday.

“I think it will be a traumatic rush hour,” said a spokesman for the mayor’s office on the eve of the first business day without traffic passing 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

With terrorism on the rise, President Clinton on Saturday ordered two long blocks of the six-lane avenue closed to vehicles. In addition, a small stretch of road behind the White House was shut and city officials said E Street will become one-way.

District Council Chairman Dave Clarke accused the Administration of shutting the street without thinking about the consequences.

Officials say 26,000 automobiles travel that stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue daily and that another 23,000 tool up and down E Street.

In trying to ease the crunch, government offices are giving workers an extra hour to report to work today, and parking will be eliminated along two streets beside the White House. Commuters were urged to take a bus or the subway.

The cash-strapped district wants federal taxpayers to help cover the bills for new signs and lights.

On Sunday, tourists, cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters enjoyed a second day of fun on the strangely quiet avenue.