Politics & Government

Mayor Gray to Secret Service: Closing Roads Causes 'Gridlock,' 'Inconvenience'

Mayor points out more coordination needed, in light of three days of road closures near the Willard Hotel.

DC Mayor Vincent Gray has penned a stern letter to the U.S. Secret Service, asking for some coordination to avoid gridlock especially when visiting dignitaries are in town, according to a story in The Washington Post.

Gray was particularly irate about three days of street closures around the Willard Hotel, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stayed during his visit for the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Netanyahu delivered the keynote address Tuesday morning, the last day of the conference.

The Secret Service, in a statement, said it will reexamine the street closures and meet with District officials to discuss ways to improve how streets are closed. The Secret Service “makes every effort to minimize traffic disruptions when implementing security plans," they said.

What's the worst gridlock you've experienced in DC?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here