The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists of the commercial vehicle restrictions and traffic modifications that will be implemented for Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve festivities at the Inner Harbor. 

In preparation for the event, temporary commercial vehicle restrictions will be in effect from 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023 until 3:00 a.m. on Monday, January 01, 2024.  During this time, commercial vehicles will not be permitted in the downtown / Inner Harbor areas of Baltimore City, except for local deliveries.  Please note that tanker trailers will not be permitted downtown during this time, including those for local deliveries.  This commercial vehicle restriction excludes cabs, buses and other mass transportation vehicles.

Motorists should pay strict attention to the restrictions and road/lane closures in effect on New Year’s Eve.  Commercial vehicle restrictions, along with all parking restrictions will be strictly enforced. 

The following streets will be affected by the temporary commercial vehicle restrictions:

• Fayette Street from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to President Street (no commercial vehicles will be allowed to travel on or south of Fayette Street)

• President Street from Aliceanna Street to Fayette Street (no commercial vehicles will be allowed to travel on or west of President Street)

• Light Street from Pratt Street to Key Highway

• Key Highway from Light Street to McComas Street

• Hanover Street from McComas Street to Montgomery Street (no commercial vehicles will be allowed on or north of McComas Street, including Hanover Street) 

• Pratt Street and Lombard Street from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to President Street

• I-395 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. split to Pratt Street (no commercial vehicles will be permitted on I-395)

In addition, the following streets will be closed from 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023 until event traffic clears:

• Pratt Street will be closed at Charles Street – Pratt Street traffic will be diverted north on Charles Street to continue east on Baltimore Street.

• Lombard Street will be closed at President Street – Lombard Street traffic will be diverted north on President Street to continue west on Fayette Street.

• Northbound Light Street will close at Lee Street – Northbound Light Street traffic will be diverted west onto Lee Street to continue north on Charles Street.

• Southbound Light Street will close at Lombard Street – Southbound Light Street traffic will be diverted west onto Lombard Street to continue south on Sharp Street.

• Eastbound Conway Street at I-395 – Northbound I-395 traffic at Conway Street will be diverted north onto Howard Street.  No access will be allowed onto eastbound Conway Street.

The following parking restrictions will be in effect from 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023 until 3:00 a.m. on Monday, January 01, 2024:

• East side of Light Street from Lee to Conway Streets
• Gay Street from Pratt to Fayette Streets
• Calvert Street from Pratt to Fayette Streets
• Baltimore Street from S. Charles to S. Gay Streets
• South side of Key Highway from Light to William Streets
• West side of Charles Street from Pratt to Fayette Streets

Due to the large number of people expected in the downtown area for New Year’s Eve festivities, patrons attending the events are strongly encouraged to use public transportation including the Light Rail and metro subway.  The Charm City Circulator will operate on Sunday, December 31, 2023 (New Year's Eve) until 8:00 p.m. but will not be in operation on Monday, January 1, 2024 (New Year's Day).

Patrons who wish to drive downtown should park at commercial parking facilities and avoid area neighborhoods.  Vehicles parked in violation will be ticketed and towed.  Motorists should exercise patience and be on the watch for pedestrians while driving downtown, especially when approaching area crosswalks.  Transportation Enforcement Officers along with the Baltimore City Police Department will be working throughout the downtown area to help facilitate the movement of traffic. 

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