The University is urging students to consider taking the Metro to tonight’s GW Inaugural Ball at the Omni Shoreham hotel, out of concern that the GW shuttle buses will not be able to navigate the traffic expected to clog D.C. streets this evening.

At the same time, Metro officials are warning of “extremely crowded” conditions and long lines expected at Metro stations throughout the city.

“Based on the road closures that we’re seeing, we’re encouraging students to take Metro because, with the road closures, we’re not sure if the shuttles can get through the paths we’ve marked out,” said Michelle Sherrard, a University spokeswoman.

She assured, however, that the shuttles have alternate routes planned and will run as quickly and smoothly as possible. Sherrard said shuttles are still scheduled to arrive at 7:15 p.m., despite the parade delay of more than an hour. Nineteen shuttles will run from the Marvin Center and three from the Mount Vernon campus continuously throughout the night.