How to pay respects to Pres. George H.W. Bush in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The public has an opportunity to pay their final respects to President George H.W. Bush when he is scheduled to lie in repose at Saint Martin's Episcopal Church, where the former president and First Lady Barbara Bush worshiped for more than 50 years.

The president's remains arrived back in Houston at Ellington Field on Wednesday and arrived at Saint Martin's in the evening.

Until Thursday at 6 a.m., the public is invited to pay their final respects to President Bush as his remains lie in repose.

The public should park at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr., where guests will need to get through security and then board METRO shuttle buses that will take them to the church. There will be no exceptions and every person will be screened.

The METRO shuttles began loading at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, with the first bus departure scheduled for 5:15 p.m.

The final bus is scheduled to depart around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. No walk-ups are allowed for the public repose on Wednesday nor for the funeral on Thursday.

Organizers are asking participants to allow for ample time to get through security. Video and photos are restricted during viewing and cell phones must be turned off.

Below is a list of prohibited items:

• Any bag larger than: 14" x 13" x 4"
• Any audio and/or video recording devices
• Guns, knives, stun guns, ammunition, razors, box cutters, or other weapons
• Mace, pepper spray, or any aerosol sprays
• Cans and bottles
• Food or beverages

An invitation-only funeral will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the St. Martin's website, the campus will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 4, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and will reopen Friday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. All activities originally scheduled for those days will not be held.

The public can view George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's beginning at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday night.

ABC13's Pooja Lodhia looks at how authorities in the Houston area are preparing for busy roads during Pres. George H.W. Bush's funeral procession.

ABC13's Steven Romo explains the security measures and guidelines to the public for Pres. George H.W. Bush's funeral procession.

On Tuesday, the day before the president's body returns to Houston, the city's police department announced the road closures that are planned between 11 a.m. Wednesday and 1 p.m. Thursday:

• Riverway Drive between Sage Road & South Post Oak Lane will be closed
• Sage Road between Tangle Lane & Woodway Drive will be closed
• Woodway Drive between Chimney Rock Road & N Post Oak Lane will be closed
• Traveling on Woodway between Chimney Rock and the 610 West Loop will be severely restricted

The police department said only residents and business owners needing access into the area will be allowed beyond the road closures.

The police also emphasized that people who want to pay their respects will have to board the shuttle buses, and no walk-ups will be permitted during both days.

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