Kennedy Center Removes Blue Statue, Prompting Temporary Parkway Closures

The Kennedy Center is removing Joel Shapiro’s Blue statue from its grounds, with a crane operation planned on Sept. 2, 2026 that will require temporary closure of the northbound lanes of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Access restrictions include the E Street on-ramp and nearby intersections, as directed by law enforcement. The closures are for public safety during the removal, are not expected to cause long-term disruption to park use, and other park areas will remain open; times may change based on the removal schedule.