Free National Mall parking may be metered soon

WASHINGTON — Drivers may soon have to pay for parking spots along the National Mall.

The National Park Service says too many commuters take advantage of the free parking spaces. These blocked-up spots are intended to be used by visitors.

The park service’s plan would put multi-space parking meters along Constitution Avenue, Madison and Jefferson Drives, and at spots in East and West Potomac Park.

The meters would cost $2 per hour, the same as other meters already in place in the area.

The meters wouldn’t only operate on weekdays. The park service says it may also charge for parking on holidays, weekends and other peak times.

Some of the money from the parking meters would help pay for a new Circulator Bus route from Union Station to the Lincoln Memorial.

The Park Service tells WTOP their plan is to install the parking meters at the end of this year or early next year.

There will be a public meeting on the plan on Feb. 11.

Multi-Space Parking Meter Presentation

WTOP’s Max Smith and Rohan Williamson contributed to this report.

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