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Motorists traveling in the downtown area should plan additional travel time

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists that heavy traffic volumes are expected in downtown Baltimore Wednesday afternoon, July 17, 2019.

Events being held in the downtown area, along with on-going road closures due to underground collapse in the vicinity of Howard and Pratt Streets, will cause traffic congestion and delays.   Motorists traveling downtown are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.  Heavy traffic volumes are expected in the afternoon and early evening between approximately 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. as baseball fans head downtown for the Orioles home game at Camden Yards.

Commuters are strongly encouraged to use alternative modes of transportation, such as MTA buses, Light Rail, the Metro Subway System or the Charm City Circulator to access the downtown area.  Transportation Enforcement Officers will be deployed to help facilitate the movement of traffic. 

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Road Closures in the Downtown Area Will Continue Into Next Week

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists that several streets in the downtown area remain closed due to a water main break.

At this time, numerous City agencies – including the Departments of Public Works, Transportation, Fire, Police and the Office of Emergency Management – along with contractors and private companies have been working to repair the underground collapse.  It is unclear when the roadways affected by the collapse will reopen. Citizens traveling in the downtown area should plan additional commute time as repair work continues.

Multiple roadways in the downtown area continue to be closed due to safety concerns. Please carefully review road closures as some closures are extended until further notice. The following roads are closed and off limits to vehicles:

Pratt Street is closed from Paca to Sharp Streets - Traffic on inbound Russell Street cannot turn onto Pratt Street.  Motorists must continue north to Baltimore Street or other roadways.  Traffic on eastbound Pratt Street will be detoured left onto Paca Street.

Northbound I-395 is closed at Conway Street - Traffic inbound on I-395 cannot proceed north onto Howard Street.  Motorists must turn right onto Conway Street to either Charles or Light Streets.

Southbound Howard Street is closed from Lombard to Conway Street - Traffic destined for southbound I-395 cannot use Lombard to Howard Street, but can take Martin Luther King Blvd., or Lombard to Light or Lombard to Sharp Streets to Conway to I-395.  Note: Camden Street from Eutaw to Howard is being opened today. Motorist can now proceed south on Eutaw, turn left onto Camden Street and Right onto Howard Street to I-395.  

Citizens should expect congestion in the southwest portion of the central business district south of Fayette Street and west of Charles Street.  Motorists should avoid using west Pratt Street to enter the downtown area, and are encouraged to use Mulberry or Baltimore Streets instead.  Citizens on Northbound I-295 (Russell Street) are advised to follow Paca Street to Mulberry (US 40) or Baltimore Street.  Motorists on inbound I-395 are advised to follow Conway Street to either Charles or Light Streets.

In addition to the road closures, MDOT MTA’s Light RailLink Service has been temporarily suspended between the North Avenue and Camden Yards stations.  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 are available on location to assist passengers.  Light RailLink Service from the south to Camden Yards is running as scheduled.  The Department of Transportation in collaboration with several of the dockless vehicle companies will be providing additional scooters to the Camden Yards Station and most of their shuttle bus bridge stops.

This weekend, four home Orioles games will be played at Camden Yards, which is located in the vicinity of the downtown road closures.  Citizens attending the games are encouraged to allow additional travel time getting to and from Oriole Park.   

Fans coming to the ballpark from the north and traveling through the city will be able to access the ballpark via Conway Street from the east or Lee Street (via Russell Street) from the west.  Fans entering Baltimore via I-395 North (Exit 53) can still access the ballpark parking lots and Lee Street via the Russell Street exit on the right.  Fans who do not take the Martin Luther King Blvd. exit and remain on I-395 North will be diverted onto Conway Street due to the Howard Street closure.

For additional information on Baltimore City road closures, visit transportation.baltimorecity.gov.  For information on Light Rail and mass transit options, visit mta.maryland.gov.

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Vehicle Retrieval Operations Resume at the Pulaski Highway Impound Facility

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) announced that citizens will be able to retrieve their vehicles from the Pulaski Highway impound lot starting today, Thursday, May 9, 2019.

The current incident of the Ransomeware virus which infected the city’s network has disabled access to the parking fines database.  This database is utilized to verify the amount of fines owed by vehicle owners during the retrieval process.  To mitigate this issue BCDOT has created an interim process that allows citizens to retrieve their vehicles.

In order for citizens to retrieve their vehicles, the following is required:

1. Provide proof of ownership.
2. Payment of administrative, towing and storage fees (only cash payments will be accepted).  Citizens will still be responsible for any citations and remaining fees once the system becomes operational.
3. If owners are not aware of past fees that are due, the vehicle will still be released; however vehicle owners will be required to sign a release form acknowledging that fines and late fees may be due for this vehicle, and that no outstanding fees have been waived.
4. Vehicles are still subject to booting and/or towing as a scofflaw. If the vehicle is ticketed and towed again, fees for towing, administration and storage, as well as unpaid tickets and late fees, will all be due to retrieve the vehicle.

In addition, vehicles owners may be able to close a delinquent/past due account by showing proof (i.e. letter stating past due amounts outlining the balance due for fines and late fees).  This amount will be collected and the vehicle will be released.

The Pulaski Highway impound lot is located at 6700 Pulaski Highway. Normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8:30 am- 5:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. We have extended our hours of operation at the Pulaski impound lot Friday, May 10, 2019 and Saturday, May 11, 2019 until 7:00 PM. 

The City of Baltimore thanks citizens for their patience during this time.

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