NATO Summit kicks off this week: District under street closures, transportation detours

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Security has increased around the downtown area in the District ahead of the start of the NATO Summit , which kicks off on Tuesday and will last through July 12.

“A lot of police, a lot of security,” said Sam Rutten during his first visit to the District from the Netherlands.

Gates continue to go up around the Washington Convention Center and the International Trade Center, which are considered security zones.

Traffic will be limited around those areas , including parking on surrounding streets.

The extra security will also impact Metrobus, Metrorail and Metro Access services. The Federal Triangle Station will be closed all day Tuesday, July 9, while the Mt. Vernon Square Station will be shut down from July 9-12.

“It’s gonna be crazy, but we’re gonna push through it and try,” said Brooke Smith of Nebraska, who is in town with her family for the first time.

Fences line both sides of streets around the convention center. For now, pedestrians can cross to the other side – that may not happen once the summit gets underway, however.

“My feet will hurt,” said Atalissa Smith.

Despite the detours, some people take it in stride.

“We go home in two days, so it’s totally fine by me,” said the Netherlands’ Lutte Schippen.

Twelve nations first gathered in Washington, D.C. to create NATO. 75 years later, they return as a stronger pact.

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