US Fist Lady reopens avenue outside White House to pedestrians

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue that runs along the north side of the White House compound reopened to pedestrians after almost a year of construction work.

The two-block span of what is sometimes called "America's Main Street," blocked off to vehicles after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, had been closed off with high fences while jackhammers and earth movers rumbled inside.

"In just a few months, you've transformed Pennsylvania Avenue into this very inviting urban landscape," First Lady Laura Bush said at the reopening ceremony.

"I've watched from those windows for the last year as this has happened. It's been a really wonderful process to watch, and it's so thrilling to have the fences down now and have it back open again," she said....