Downtown Access during 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore: August 25-September 4

Downtown Access During the 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore:
August 25 Through September 4

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists of the traffic and transit modifications that will be implemented for the 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore. The streetscape of downtown Baltimore has been transformed in preparation for the race that takes place Labor Day weekend on August 31 through September 02, 2012.

In preparation for the event, modifications to traffic and transit routes will be necessary in the downtown business district. Starting on Saturday, August 25, 2012 after 9:00 p.m., street closures will begin on some of the race roadways. As the week progresses, additional closures along the course will be implemented. Then on Thursday, August 30, 2012, all roadways along the race route will be completely closed to traffic throughout the day.

The Department of Transportation advises motorists to know the road closures and plan ahead, use alternate routes, expect delays, and allow additional travel time to reach downtown destinations. Traffic delays can be expected when heading into the city from the south, particularly on Thursday, August 30, 2012. Motorists are strongly encouraged to plan alternate routes via the north, east or west.

All roadways are expected to be reopened to traffic by 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 04, 2012. For additional traffic information and maps detailing the 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore closings, visit www.gptraffic.com.

Motorists should be advised that all parking restrictions and residential permit parking regulations in the downtown area will be strictly enforced. Patrons choosing to drive to the event should park at commercial lots and avoid area neighborhoods. Parking Control Agents will enforce all posted parking restrictions and vehicles parked in violation will be ticketed and towed. Citizens with questions concerning the location of their vehicle should call 311. Patrons attending the race who have not purchased parking passes are strongly encouraged to use public transportation including mass transit, light rail or the Charm City Circulator.  

The following road closures will be implemented in preparation for the race:

Monday, August 27, 2012 after 9:00 p.m.

• Hopkins Place between Pratt and Lombard Streets - Access to Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but two-way local access will be maintained from Lombard Street to the road closure near Pratt Street throughout the event period.
  

• Eutaw Street between Pratt and West Camden Streets – This area will close for several hours after 9:00 p.m. for gate installation. Once installation is complete, the roadway will reopen until Thursday evening.
  

• Maryland Stadium Authority Service Drive between the Lee Street ramp and the light rail crossing will close at 11:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
  
  
• Lee Street between Light and Charles Streets – Access to/from Light Street will be eliminated during the event, but two-way traffic will be maintained from Charles Street eastward to the closure near Light Street to accommodate local access.
  

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 after 9:00 p.m.

• Charles Street between Pratt and Lombard Streets - This area will close for several hours after 9:00 p.m. for gate installation. Once installation is complete, the roadway will reopen until Thursday evening. Access to Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but local access will be maintained from Lombard Street to the road closure near Pratt Street throughout the event period. In the evening, Charles Street will be reopened to provide two-way controlled traffic access between Lombard and Lee Streets.
  

• Charles Street between Conway and Lee Streets – This area will close for several hours after 9:00 p.m. for gate installation. Once installation is complete, the roadway will reopen until Thursday evening. Access to Conway Street will be eliminated during the event, but local access will be maintained from Lee Street to the road closure near Conway Street throughout the event period. There will be no daytime access to Charles Street between Conway and Pratt Streets throughout the event. In the evening, Charles Street will be reopened to provide two-way controlled traffic access between Lombard and Lee Streets.
  

• Sharp Street between Pratt and Conway Streets – This area will close for several hours after 9:00 p.m. for gate installation. Once installation is complete, the roadway will be reopened. Access to Conway Street from the south will be maintained until Wednesday evening.
  

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 after 9:00 p.m.

• Pratt Street between Penn and Paca Streets – Access to Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event between Paca and Calvert Streets, but access from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the closure near Paca Street will be allowed. Two-way traffic will be allowed between Penn and Paca Streets.
  
  
• Conway Street between Howard and Light Streets
  

• Sharp Street between Lee and Conway Street – This area will close for several hours after 9:00 p.m. for gate installation. Once installation is complete, the roadway will be reopened. Access to Conway Street will be eliminated during the event, but local access will be maintained from Sharp Street to the south.
  
  
• Camden Street between Paca and Howard Streets – Access to Howard and Paca Streets will be eliminated during the event, but local access will be maintained via Eutaw Street nightly.
  

• I-395/Howard Street between Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Pratt Street – This stretch of roadway will close Wednesday evening at midnight.

Thursday, August 30, 2012 after 7:00 p.m. through Tuesday, September 04, 2012 at 6:00 a.m.

• Pratt Street between Paca and South Streets – Two-way local access will be maintained from South Street to the road closure near Calvert Street throughout the event period.
  

• Light Street between Key Highway and Pratt Street – Access to Light Street between Key Highway and Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event.
  

• Light Street between Lombard and Pratt Streets – Access to Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but temporary two-way local access will be maintained from Lombard to Pratt Street throughout the event period.
  

• Key Highway at Light Street – Access to northbound Light Street will be eliminated during the event, but local two-way access will be maintained from Cross Street to the closure near Light Street.
  

• Howard Street between Lombard and Pratt Streets - Access to/from Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but temporary two-way local access will be maintained from Lombard to the closure near Pratt Street throughout the event period.
  

• Northbound Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Exit to Russell Street - Will close at 1:30 p.m. Traffic will be diverted onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
  
  
  
•  Northbound Russell / Paca Streets between Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Pratt Street – All northbound traffic will be diverted onto Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
  

• Paca Street between Lombard and Pratt Streets - Access to Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but temporary two-way local access will be maintained from Lombard to the closure near Pratt Street throughout the event period.
  
  
  
• Calvert Street between Lombard and Pratt Streets - Access to/from Pratt Street will be eliminated during the event, but temporary two-way local access will be maintained from Lombard to the closure near Pratt Street throughout the event period.
  

• Greene Street / southbound Russell Street between Lombard Street and Washington Boulevard – Motorists will be diverted onto Lombard Street after 7:30 p.m. Local access will be maintained south to Washington Boulevard.
  
  
• Eutaw Street between Pratt and West Camden Streets
  

In addition to the closures listed above, transit operations will also be modified in preparation for the event.

Transit Information:

Transit passengers are encouraged to use the Metro Subway and Light Rail for the easiest commute downtown. All MTA passengers should plan ahead, as the installation of the Grand Prix race course will have an impact on MTA service from August 27 through September 4. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. For additional transit information, visit the MTA website at http://www.mta.maryland.gov.

Local Bus

The 2012 Grand Prix of Baltimore will have an impact on local MTA bus service with diversions in the downtown area. Local bus routes that will be diverted Monday, August 27, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. until Tuesday, September 04, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. include numbers 3 and 3X.

Additional bus routes that will be diverted Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. until Tuesday, September 04, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. include numbers 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19, 23, 27, 30, 35, 36, 46, 61, 120 and 160.

Commuter Bus

Affected Commuter Bus routes include Nos. 320, 410, 411 and 420.

Light Rail

Light Rail service will be suspended between the Baltimore Street and Hamburg Street stops on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 3:00 a.m. except for limited northbound service to Camden Yards on Thursday, August 30, 2012 for the Orioles game. Free shuttle buses will operate between the Baltimore Street and Hamburg Street stops.

Metro Subway

 The MTA Metro Subway service will not be affected by the race. Citizens are strongly encouraged to use the Metro to get to downtown destinations.

Charm City Circulator

The Charm City Circulator Orange Route will run its usual course; however the Pratt Street stops are being relocated to Baltimore Street starting at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2012. In addition, modifications will be made to the Purple and Banner Routes in preparation for the race. For additional information about the Charm City Circulator, visit www.charmcitycirculator.com.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Access:

The full track circuit will be closed to vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the Inner Harbor Promenade to bypass the track area to the east and the west sidewalk of Greene Street along the west side of the track.