Black Lives Matter Plaza to become permanent installation; lane closures begin Monday

DC couple says ‘I do’ on Black Lives Matter Plaza

Kaci Russell and Gregory Jones said that getting married after being together for 10 years was special enough but tying the knot on the plaza was symbolic in more ways than one.

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced Friday that construction to make Black Lives Matter Plaza a permanent installation will begin on Monday, July 19 with lane closures expected.

During construction, DDOT will close all northbound and southbound travel lanes to vehicular traffic on 16th Street NW between H Street NW and K Street NW.

Construction is expected to conclude by October 1, 2021.

Once completed, the permanent installation will protect pedestrian safety while accommodating vehicles and keeping with the spirit of the original mural design.

The Black Lives Matter mural was painted over in May of this year due to planned work by Pepco, sparking criticism online, including from Black Lives Matter DC. The mural was repainted days later.

Bowser commissioned the 35-foot-tall message in June 2020 as her feud with President Donald Trump over local policing escalated.

It spells out "Black Lives Matter" in giant yellow letters down 16th Street near the White House. Bowser also renamed a stretch of 16th Street "Black Lives Matter Plaza."

Construction will occur from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and local access to businesses will be maintained. Through access, however, will remain closed for the duration of construction.

Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrian traffic. Traffic controls, including signage, will be in place to guide motorists and pedestrians safely around the work zone.

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All users of the roadway are advised to stay alert and be observant of signage and work zones while traveling in this area.