Transportation officials have closed streets around the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the pope's motorcade has just ended. He is at the Basilica and District transportation officials say the streets are relatively clear.

There was some concern that traffic could back up on North Capitol Street, but traffic cameras at North Capitol and Rhode Island Avenue seem to show traffic moving smoothly.

These are the street closures for this afternoon and evening around the Basilica:

Michigan Avenue, NE from Monroe Street to Irving Street: 3 pm - 8 pm

4th Street, NE north of Lincoln Road: 3 pm - 8 pm

Harewood Road, NE from Taylor Street to Michigan Avenue: 3 pm - 8 pm

A full schedule of the street closures for tomorrow is at www.ddot.gov.

Although the Brookland Metro station on the Red Line was very busy today, Metro officials report no incidents. At about 4 p.m., Metro reported total system ridership of 455,000, and that was before rush hour had started in earnest.

Residents are also reminded that the big crush will come tomorrow because of the papal mass scheduled for 10 a.m. at Nationals Park. City officials are urging travelers to take Metro.

Motorists traveling into the District Thursday morning are reminded that the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, a.k.a. South Capitol Street Bridge, and the adjoining access roads to the bridge will be closed from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to the bridge, the approaches to the bridge on both the east and west side will be closed to vehicular traffic including South Capitol Street, S.E. from I Street to Potomac Avenue and from the east side of the bridge to Firth Sterling Avenue, S.E.

Motorists will be detoured to the 11th Street Bridges.

Only vehicles with RPP Zone 6 stickers will be allowed to park in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the stadium. Enforcement will be in full effect and violators will be ticketed and towed.

-- Lena H. Sun

By Washington Post Editors  |  April 16, 2008; 5:57 PM ET
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