Media Contact:  Karyn LeBlanc at (202) 671-3490, John Lisle at (202) 671-2004

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to conduct a thorough inspection of the landmark Friendship Archway in Chinatown, on Friday, August 22, from 9 am to 3 pm. The inspection is part of DDOT’s ongoing bridge and road maintenance program.

The Friendship Archway extends across H Street, NW, at the intersection of 7th Street. DDOT will inspect the structure lane by lane, from curb to curb. As a result, traffic lanes will be closed one at a time as the inspectors make their way across the width of the street. Temporary lane closures and parking restrictions are scheduled to be in effect until 3 pm. DDOT advises anyone driving, riding or walking to exercise caution when traveling through the area.

The Archway was dedicated in 1986 to symbolize the friendship between the “sister cities” of Beijing and Washington, DC. It is reportedly the largest single-span Chinese archway in the world.