DC Roads Close for May Day Protests and Ben's Chili Bowl Reopening
On May 1, 2026, several streets in Washington, D.C. were temporarily closed due to May Day demonstrations and the grand reopening of Ben's Chili Bowl, a historic eatery. The reopening event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live go-go music, led to the closure of U Street Northwest between 12th and 13th Streets until 4 p.m. Additionally, May Day protests, a day of labor action, resulted in further street closures in the downtown area. The D.C. police advised drivers and pedestrians to be cautious of parking restrictions and increased activity. Streets such as H Street, I Street, and 16th Street experienced closures until 8 p.m. Furthermore, starting May 2, bridge repairs on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland, are expected to cause additional traffic disruptions. The Maryland Department of Transportation announced that repairs on the Interstate 495 southbound bridge over Amtrak tracks will involve lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays, until May 17. 
