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NIH Bethesda Campus Access on Thanksgiving Day, November 28


​Posted on 11/26​/​2024

​Thanksgiving Day will be observed on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Please view the following s​​​​chedule for NIH Bethesda campus access on this holiday.​

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Temporary Closure of Wilson Drive on Wednesday, October 30 for NEI 5K Walk/Run/Roll​​​​​​


​Posted on 10/25​/​2024

​On Wednesday, October 30, Wilson Drive will temporarily close from 11:00 AM to 1:25 PM for the “Annual NEI 5K Walk/Run/Roll" event. For the safety of the participants, the NIH Police will assist with traffic control during the event. Please pay careful attention to pedestrians around this time.​

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South Drive/Rockville Pike (Metro) and Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road Closed for Maintenance on Saturday, October 26

​Posted on 10/23​/​2024

The NIH will conduct routine maintenance work on the vehicle barriers at the South Drive entrance/exit off Rockville Pike (Metro/MD355) and the Lincoln Drive entrance/exit off Old Georgetown Road, on Saturday, October 26, 2024. ​

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NIH Bethesda Campus Access on Labor Day, Mond​ay, September 2​​​​

​Posted on 8/29/​2024

Labor Day will be observed on Monday, September 2, 2024. Please view the following schedule for NIH Bethesda campus access on this holiday.

The following entrances/exits will be open on September 2:

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Temporary Closure of Wilson Drive on Thursday, June 6 for NIH Take-A-Hike Day

​Posted on 6/5/​2024

Wilson Drive will temporarily close on Thursday, June 6, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm for the 16th Annual NIH "Take-A-Hike ​​​Day" event. The NIH Police will assist with traffic control during the event to ensure the safety of the participants. Drivers, please be alert to pedestrians in crosswalks. ​​​​

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Saturday, May 18 - Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road Closed; Use South Drive/Old Georgetown Road​​

Posted on 5/15/​2024

​Due to a crane again blocking a portion of Lincoln Drive near Building 35, Lincoln Drive from Old Georgetown Road to Convent Drive will be closed on Saturday, May 18. Instead, the South Drive/Old Georgetown Road entrance/exit will open from 6am – 4pm on Saturday.​

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Saturday/Sunday, April 27 - 28 - Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road Closed; Use South Drive/Old Georgetown Road

Posted on 4/23/​2024

Due to a crane again blocking a portion of Lincoln Drive near Building 35, Lincoln Drive from Old Georgetown Road to Convent Drive will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 - 28.​​

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Wilson Drive to Close Temporarily Tomorrow for NIMHD 5k Walk/Run/Roll

Posted on 4/10/​2024

Wilson Drive will temporarily close tomorrow, April 11, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, for the 2024 NIMHD Walk, Run, Roll 5K on NIH’s Bethesda campus​.​​

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West Drive Patient Entrance Reopens on Mon​day March 11

Posted on 3/7/​2024

​The West Drive Patient/Patient Visitor Entrance off W. Cedar Lane reopens on Monday, March 11, 2024, after completion of Phase 1 renovations of the Patient/Patient Visitor Badging Station (Building 68).​​

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Reminder West Drive Patient Entrance to Close for Renovations Use Gateway January 16 March 3​​​

Posted on 1/10/​2024

​​Beginning, Tuesday, January 16, the Patient/Patient Visitor Badging Station (Building 68) at the West Drive entrance off W. Cedar Lane, will undergo Phase I of a planned renovation. This work will require the entrance to be closed through March 3, reopening on Monday, March 4, 2024.

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Posted on 1/9/​2024

Martin Luther King Jr Day will be observed on Monday, January 15, 2024. Please view the following schedule for campus access on the holiday.

West Drive at Cedar Lane: 6am - 10pm

  • Patient and Patient Visitors Only
  • Inbound Traffic Only

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Campus Access on the Observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15

Posted on 1/9/​2024

Martin Luther King Jr Day will be observed on Monday, January 15, 2024. Please view the following schedule for campus access on the holiday.

West Drive at Cedar Lane: 6am - 10pm

  • Patient and Patient Visitors Only
  • Inbound Traffic Only

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West Drive Patient Entrance to Close for Renovations; Use Gateway January 16 – March 3​

Posted on 12/20/​2023

​Beginning on December 11, 2023 and continuing through September 30, 2024, the 1143-space MLP-10 Parking Garage on North Drive (behind Buildings 31 and 33) will undergo major renovations to address structural and plumbing repairs and waterproofing to the garage. 

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MLP-10 Parking Garage to Undergo Renovations 

Posted on 12/5/​2023

​Beginning on December 11, 2023 and continuing through September 30, 2024, the 1143-space MLP-10 Parking Garage on North Drive (behind Buildings 31 and 33) will undergo major renovations to address structural and plumbing repairs and waterproofing to the garage. 

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NIH Bethesda Campus Access on the Observance of Veterans Day, November 10

Posted on 11/7/​2023

The Veterans Day holiday will be observed on Friday, November 10, 2023. Please view the following schedule for the Bethesda campus access on the observed holiday.

​West Drive at Cedar Lane: 6am - 10pm

  • Patient and Patient Visitors Only
  • Inbound Traffic Only

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Saturday, November 4 - Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road Closed; Use South Drive/Old Georgetown Road​

Posted on 11/1/​2023

Due to a crane blocking a portion of Lincoln Drive near Building 35, Lincoln Drive from Old Georgetown Road to Convent Drive will be closed. Instead, the South Drive/Old Georgetown Road entrance/exit will open from 6am – 4pm on Saturday, November 4. ​

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Bethesda Main Campus Testing of Pedestrian Portals and Vehicle Entry Points on Friday, July 28​​​​​​​​​​​​

Posted on 7/27/​2023

The NIH Security and Emergency Response staff is planning to conduct routine testing of all Bethesda main campus pedestrian portals (sally ports) and vehicle entry control points between 10:00am and 12:00pm, tomorrow, Friday, July 28.​​

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Bethesda Campus Access on Independence Day, July 4

Posted on 6/30/​2023

The Independence Day holiday will be observed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Please view the following schedule for Bethesda campus access on the holiday.

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Temporary Closure of Wilson Drive on Thursday, June 15 for NIH Take-A-Hike-Day​

Posted on 6/14/​2023

Wilson Drive will temporarily close on Thursday, June 15, from 12:00 pm to 12:15 pm for the 15th Annual NIH "Take-A-Hike Day" event. The NIH Police will assist with traffic control during the event to ensure the safety of the participants. Drivers, please be alert to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians, always use sidewalks and crosswalks, and ensure you make eye contact before stepping off a curb.​

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Woodglen Shuttle Service Ending June 5 Res​​​​ulting in Additional On Cam​​pus Shuttle Services​

Posted on 6/1/​2023

Effective Monday, June 5, the Woodglen Shuttle off-campus routes will no longer be in service due to lack of ridership. These shuttle resources will be repurposed to address and mitigate parking and traffic issues and pedestrian safety on the NIH Campus through additional services for the Building 10 Express Shuttle and Safra Family Lodge Express Shuttle.​

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Portion of Medlars Drive Closed on Thursday May 4

Posted on 5/4/​2023

A section of Medlars Drive (see map below), on the south side of campus between Lot 18 and Building 41 will be closed on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 5am – 6pm. The road closure is necessary in order to replace a nearby liquid nitrogen tank. ​​​​

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South Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road Vehicle Entrance/Exit Closed on April 22; Use South Drive

Posted on 4/22​/2023

The NIH will conduct maintenance work on the vehicle barriers at the Lincoln Drive entrance/exit off of Old Georgetown Road on Saturday, April 22. This work will require the entrance to be closed for vehicles from 6am – 4pm. During the closure, South Drive/Old Georgetown Road will be available for entrance and exit until 4pm​​​.​​​​

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​South Drive/Rockville Pike (Metro) Vehicle Entrance/Exit Closed on April 15; Use Wilson Drive

Posted on 4/12​/2023

The NIH will conduct maintenance work on the vehicle barriers at the South Drive entrance/exit off of Rockville Pike (MD355) on Saturday, April 15. This work will require the entrance to be closed for vehicles from 6am – 6pm.​​​​

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P-1 Entrance and Exit to Clinical Center Parking Closed

Posted on 3/3​/2023

​​On Monday, March 6, 2023, the upper portion of Convent Drive (currently one-way) will close for vehicles and pedestrians, requiring the P-1 entrance/exit for Clinical Center visitor parking to close. Please note, only the P-1 entrance/exit will close and parking will still be available on the P-1 level via P-3.​

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New Visitor Parking Lot on Bethesda Campus Opens March 1

Posted on 2/22​/2023

​The Great news for our visitors! A new visitor parking lot (Lot 18) opens Wednesday, March 1.  If you are expecting visitors to the NIH main campus after Tuesday, February 28, please notify them of the following imporant changes. 

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Update on Pedstrian Gate Renovation Work for NIH Bethesda Campus

Posted on 2/15​/2023

​The Office of Research Services (ORS) and Office of Research Facilities (ORF) are providing the following updates on the renovation work affecting pedestrian gates, portals, and turnstiles around the NIH Bethesda Campus.​

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NIH Roadway Safety Advisory

Posted on 1/24/2023

​Recently, an employee walking on the NIH Bethesda campus was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. The employee sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.

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Update on Pedestrian Gate Renovation Work for Bethesda Main Campus

Posted on 1/6/2023

​If you frequent our main campus as a pedestrian, we feel your pain. We know access has been frustrating in the past year. Reported re-opening dates have slipped. Locations have closed without much advance notice. It probably feels like our entire campus is under construction. 

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Long-Term Closure of Center Drive at Old Georgetown Road Begins on January 9

Posted on 12/16/2022

​Beginning Monday, January 9, 2023, the Center Drive at Old Georgetown Road will close for the next 5 years until approximately Summer 2028 to allow for a dedicated construction entrance for materials and equipment deliveries.  

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MLP-6 Traffic Flow to Reverse Beginning October 31

Posted on 10/26/2022

​Until renovations to the MLP-6 parking garage are complete, the current one-way traffic pattern will switch directions starting Monday, October 31 to improve afternoon/evening traffic flow exiting the garage. ​

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​Lincoln Drive at Old Georgetown Road Opening Delayed to October 24

Posted on 09/30​/2022

​As a part of the ongoing expansion and upgrade of the Lincoln Drive and Old Georgetown Road entrance/exit, beginning on Wednesday, August 17, the pedestrian gate will be closed through September 9, 2022 for construction.  Once complete, the pedestrian gate, along with the improved Lincoln Drive vehicle entrance, are scheduled to reopen on Monday, September 12. 

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​Lincoln Drive Entrance to​ Reopen September 12; Pedestrian Gate Temporarily Closed Beginning August 17

Posted on 08/16​/2022

​Due to permitting issues, supply chain material availability and other unexpected construction delays, the expansion, upgrade and reopening of the Lincoln Drive at Old Georgetown Road vehicle and pedestrian entrance/exit has been delayed until Monday October 24.  Once complete, the hours of operation will be 6am-7pm, Monday-Friday​ for inbound and outbound traffic.

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​Reminder: North Drive Only Open for ​Outbound Traffic on Weekday Afternoons/Evenings ​

Posted on 06/02/2022

​As a reminder, North Drive is now open for exiting on weekdays from 3pm – 7pm. It is NOT open for exiting at any other time. The inbound traffic hours of operation remain weekdays from 6am – 10am. The NIH Police are witnessing some staff vehicles attempting to exit during these morning hours causing a safety issue.​

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​Gateway Vehicle Inspection Resumes Normal Operations Beginning May 23​ ​

Posted on 05/16/2022

The NIH Gateway Vehicle Inspection Station for visitors (Building 66A), resumes normal operations beginning Monday, May 23. The hours of operation will be 6am – 10pm, Monday – Friday. Visitors in vehicles should enter the campus from NIH Gateway Drive, just south of South Drive and the Medical Center Metro Station. The Gateway Center for Pedestrians (Building 66) is already available for visitor pedestrian entry following the same weekday hours of operation.  

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Temporary Access Change: Lincoln Drive Reopens; South Drive Closes for Week of May 9 - 13

Posted on 05/05/2022

Due to the need to again assemble a crane on South Drive near Buildings 37 and 40, the Lincoln Drive/Old Georgetown Road entrance/exit will reopen for normal hours of operation (6am – 7pm, Monday - Friday) during the week of May 9 - 13. During this same period, South Drive from Old Georgetown to Convent Drive will be closed. This will allow the NIH to maintain two open entrances/exits on weekdays during this period of significant construction on the western side of the Bethesda campus. The crane work on South Drive is part of the construction of the new MLP-14 patient parking garage and utility vault. 

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North Drive Open for Outbound Traffic on Weekday Afternoons/Evenings Starting April 11

Posted on 04/07/2022

Beginning Monday, April 11, North Drive (near the MLP-10 Parking Garage, behind Buildings 31 and 33) will open for outbound traffic only from 3pm – 7pm on weekdays. The exit is right turn only, southbound on Rockville Pike. The inbound traffic hours of operation remain weekdays, 6am – 10am. ​

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Lincoln Drive Expansion to Close Entrance/Exit Starting March 14

Posted on 03/07/2022

Beginning March 14 and continuing through June 2022, the Lincoln Drive entrance/exit at Old Georgetown Road will be closed for major construction to widen and improve the intersection. Once complete, Lincoln Drive will have two lanes of incoming and exiting traffic, improved pedestrian safety, and other safety, security and egress enhancements to expedite traffic flow in both directions. The closure of Center Drive at Old Georgetown Road will not occur until Lincoln Drive is re-opened.

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Lot 4A Visitor Parking Converts to Temporary Clinical Center Valet Parking

Posted on 02/22/2022

​​​Beginning today, Tuesday, February 22, Lot 4A (across from Building 31) will convert to valet parking for Building 10 patients and patient visitors only. This change is in effect until the new wing of the hospital (Surgery, Radiology and Laboratory Medicine) is complete in 2028.

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MLP-9 and ACRF P-2/P-3 Parking Garage Reserved for Building 10 Staff Only

Posted on 02/16/2022

Beginning on Tuesday, February 22, the MLP-9 and ACRF P-2/P-3 parking garages will be available to Building 10 occupants only. Parking in either of those locations will require a sp​ecial "Building 10" sticker on the NIH parking permit. This change is taking place to offset the loss of parking for Building 10 occupants due to major construction projects, particularly to the west and north.

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New Express Shuttle to Service Lots 41 & 42 from Building 10

Posted on 02/15/2022

Beginning on Tuesday, February 22, the NIH will begin providing an Express Shuttle that services Lots 41 and 42 from the South Lobby of Building 10. The new Express Shuttle is part of the NIH "Building for All" campaign, a joint effort between the Office of Research Services (ORS) and the Office of Research Facilities (ORF) to implement mitigation strategies to address traffic and parking issues associated with major construction projects on the northwest portion of campus, beginning in early to mid-2022.

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