Posted on 07/18/19
| News Source: Pikesville Patch
BALTIMORE, MD — Several road closures are in effect this week in downtown and midtown Baltimore. The sinkhole that formed in the July 8 floods is still being repaired off Pratt at Howard streets, which may cause traffic snarls as fans come to watch the Orioles play at Camden Yards; and Artscape will be in town Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21, prompting a series of road closures in midtown.
After thunderstorms rolled through the region Wednesday night, the Baltimore Department of Public Works reported that stormwater breached the CSX tunnel, and officials were assessing impacts to the hole on Howard Street.
Drivers should give themselves extra time to get to their destinations in downtown Baltimore for the next several days. Transportation Enforcement Officers will be helping with traffic flow around Camden Yards, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation advised.
Here's a guide to the various road closures in Charm City this week.
Traffic was expected to be so heavy Wednesday, July 17, that the Baltimore Department of Transportation issued a traffic advisorydirecting people to allocate extra time. Downtown events coupled with road closures from the underground collapse at Howard and Pratt streets will cause delays, officials said.
Traffic was expected to peak from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, as baseball fans headed downtown for the Orioles home game at Camden Yards for the Battle of the Beltways, with the O's taking on the Nationals at 7:05 p.m. Traffic may also be heavy as the Orioles play the Boston Red Sox in Baltimore at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.
Commuters are strongly encouraged to use public transportation like MTA buses, light trail, the Metro Subway System or the Charm City Circulator Wednesday if they are going downtown.
Drivers to the baseball game will encounter traffic delays and detours due to the road collapse that occurred during the July 8 flood.
Pratt Street is closed from Paca to Sharp streets. Traffic on inbound Russell Street can't turn onto Pratt and must continue north to Baltimore Street or another road. Traffic on eastbound Pratt Street will be detoured left onto Paca Street.
I-395 north is closed at Conway Street, and inbound traffic cannot proceed north onto Howard Street. Turn right onto Conway to Charles or Light streets.
Southbound Howard Street is closed from Lombard to Conway Street. Drivers on I-395 south can take MLK or Lombard to Light or Sharp to Conway to I-95.
Traffic destined for southbound I-395 cannot use Lombard to Howard Street, but can take MLK or Lombard to Light or Lombard to Sharp streets to Conway to I-395.
Drivers should avoid west Pratt Street to enter the downtown area; use Mulberry or Baltimore street instead.
Those on I-295 (Russell Street) should follow Paca Street to Mulberry (US 40) or Baltimore Street.
The light rail has been temporarily suspended between the North Avenue and Camden Yards stations due to safety concerns. A shuttle bus bridge will be running between these stations to accommodate light rail passengers during this time. Signage has been placed at these stops, and Transit Ambassadors will be available to assist passengers. Light RailLink Service from the south to Camden Yards is running as scheduled.
Temporary lane closures are in effect on southbound President Streetbetween Fayette and Pratt streets. Concrete repair work is underway and will be ongoing until 3 p.m. on Friday, July 19.
Drivers should allow for extra travel time in this area, where a temporary right lane closure is in effect, and take alternate routes if possible.
Mount Royal Avenue will come to life for Artscape on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 19-21.
These streets will be closed from 7 a.m. Monday, July 15, to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 23:
Closures from 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 23:
Special Penn Drive Traffic Chute:
Traffic cones during non-festival hours will allow vehicles from Penn Drive to gain access to the I-83 ramp. Right turns onto Charles Street will still be restricted during these times.
Here's when the special Penn Drive traffic chute will be open:
These streets will be closed at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 19, through 6 a.m. on Monday, July 22:
Special traffic pattern along Maryland Avenue for Sunday morning church services:
Maryland Avenue will be converted to a two-way traffic pattern from Preston Street to Mt. Royal Avenue for morning church services, from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 21. Congregation members trying to access the church should follow St. Paul Street to Preston Street, then turn the opposite way onto Maryland Avenue to the parking lot.