What’s That In Front Of The White House?

I spent Christmas week in Washington, DC and one of the typically busy sections of town is along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.  But for the first time since the street in front of the White House was closed off to traffic, not even pedestrians were allowed in the street.  Everyone was directed to stay on the sidewalk across the street from the White House.

A security concern?  Partly, but mostly to keep the street clear for construction vehicles while two structures are being built right on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The first is a glass enclosed stand being erected in front of the White House fence for the president and his guests to use to view the inaugural parade on Monday, January 21st.

Directly across from that structure is one to be used by the media. By contract, both structures must be completed by January 6th.  Demolition of both structures must begin 24 hours after the end of the parade.  Then the whole site must be restored within 30 days.

It was interesting to see an army of workers hurrying to get the project completed in time.