News Summary
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation has announced significant road closures and traffic alterations for the weekend, coinciding with local events including Orioles games and the Baltimore Washington One Carnival. Motorists should be prepared for delays and plan alternate routes due to multiple closures and an ongoing underground fire impacting downtown areas.
Baltimore – The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) has announced multiple road closures and traffic modifications for the upcoming weekend, impacting motorists and attendees of local events. These changes are expected to create significant delays, and all road users are urged to remain cautious while navigating altered routes.
The event schedule includes Baltimore Orioles home games at Camden Yards, commencing on Friday, July 11, at 4:00 p.m., continuing on Saturday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m., and concluding on Sunday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. These games are sure to increase traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
Additionally, the Baltimore Washington One Carnival and Parade will run from Friday through Sunday at Druid Hill Park. The main parade event is set for Saturday, July 12, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., starting at the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Druid Park Drive, likely leading to further traffic modifications in that vicinity.
Specific Traffic Modifications and Road Closures
On Friday evening, temporary lane closures will occur near the CFG Bank Arena from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. This will be due to a scheduled event. On Saturday, multiple significant road closures are planned:
- The northbound ramp on Jones Falls Expressway/I-83 will be closed from the junction of 29th Street and Druid Park Lake Drive from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for necessary street lighting repairs.
- Alluvion Street will be shut down from Ridgely to Russell Streets from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the Crawboil Festival.
- Crane operations will necessitate the closure of Charles Street from Ostend to Gittings Streets from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., along with Chester Street from McElderry to Monument Streets, closed from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, July 13, further lane closures will take place on the Jones Falls Expressway/I-83 between Fayette Street and the city/county line from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for cleaning activities. The Baltimore Farmers’ Market will also lead to street and lane closures under the Jones Falls Expressway along Saratoga Street during the same time frame.
Impact of Underground Fire
In addition to scheduled events, Baltimore residents are currently dealing with road closures in Downtown Baltimore due to an underground fire that resulted in extensive steam damage to the underground system. The Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is actively addressing the aftermath of the incident. As a result, Guilford Street between Fayette and Baltimore Streets will remain closed until Tuesday while investigations and repairs continue.
This incident marks the fourth underground fire reported in downtown Baltimore over the past 16 months. Each occurrence has raised concerns regarding safety and transparency among residents, with several past incidents leading to the displacement of people and businesses as well as increased traffic congestion. Residents and local officials have expressed a desire for thorough investigations into these events.
City Councilman Zac Blanchard has called for an in-depth review of the recurring underground fire situation. BGE has stated that it is currently investigating the causes of these incidents and considers the age and condition of the conduit system as possible contributing factors.
The BCDOT is also committed to understanding the causes behind these underground fires and taking steps to prevent future incidents.
With numerous events and ongoing roadwork, motorists are advised to plan ahead, seek alternate routes, and stay alert for changing traffic patterns throughout the weekend. All scheduled activities and modifications will be subject to weather conditions, and BCDOT will not provide status updates for the road closures.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Fox Baltimore: Weekend Road Closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Modifications in Baltimore
- WBAL: Charm City Live Festival Road Closures
- Google Search: Baltimore Traffic News
- WBAL TV: Underground Fire in Baltimore
- Google News: Baltimore Road Closures
- CBS News: Maryland Afram Festival Street Closure
- Wikipedia: Baltimore
- WMAR: Afram Festival Road Closures
