SO FAR, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE CLOSING A SUCCESS

The first morning rush hour in Washington withPennsylvania Avenue closed in front of the White Housecame off without a hitch. Drivers of the estimated 26,000 cars that had used the street each day found alternate routes, and some bicyclists reported the closing actually reduced their travel time by cutting down on the traffic congestion. TIME Washington reporter Melissa August says that most people support the change. "Everybody here thinks that it's great. The avenue is really quiet and peaceful now, and people are rollerblading and walking down and it makes the whole area much nicer." The avenue was closed over the weekend as a security measure at the urging of the Secret Service. So far, the only people unhappy with the move are disgruntled officials from the financially strapped District of Columbia, who say they shouldn't have to pay for new signs and traffic signals reflecting the closing.