Dead End! Expect Road Closures Ahead Of Grand Prix Of Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Attention drivers. Crews are accelerating construction for the Grand Prix of Baltimore, which means traffic headaches for many commuters.
Linh Bui explains road closures begin Monday.
Before racers start their engines, you'll need to hit the brakes.
"You're going to have a little more traffic congestion so just plan accordingly," said Frank Murphy, Md. Department of Transportation.
Expect delays and detours downtown, as the city preps for the Grand Prix of Baltimore.
"Turning it into a race track. Pratt Street is going to be 180 miles an hour speed limit," said Tim Mayer, Grand Prix of Baltimore.
Race organizers say they've sped up construction to minimize the impact on drivers.
"It's not inconveniencing me at all. I come to work down here every day. If anything, it's working out smoothly," a driver said.
But that will change this week. The first closure starts Monday evening: Sharp Street at the Convention Center. And the biggest closures kick in Wednesday.
"This shows the track area in red. The brown are the streets that are going to be the most congested. That's Lombard Street, Martin Luther King, Russell Street and 395," Murphy said.
"I'll just go a different way ," a driver said.
That's what all drivers are encouraged to do--leave early and find alternate routes.
"Our biggest challenge is to try and convince people to spread out a little bit. Use Fayette Street. Use Franklin Street. Use Monroe instead of Martin Luther King," said Murphy.
The Grand Prix of Baltimore revs up Labor Day weekend.
For a full list of road closures, click here.
