Thousands of Visitors Expected in Baltimore City and Surrounding Areas

(October 6, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is suspending most non-emergency lane closures on key routes that motorists use to travel into Baltimore City and Martin State Airport in Baltimore County for Maryland’s Fleet Week and Air Show events.  SHA will not allow contractors to close lanes for construction work on highways beginning 3 p.m., Wednesday, October 12 through 9 p.m. Sunday, October 16 in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties.

“Maryland’s Fleet Week is expected to draw significant crowds, which could increase traffic congestion in the region,” said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson, P.E.  “SHA encourages motorists to allow extra commuting time heading in to the Inner Harbor or in Eastern Baltimore County at Martin State Airport during the Fleet Week celebration.”

Additionally, SHA will deploy extra Coordinated Highway Action Response Team (CHART) crews to assist disabled motorists and clear vehicles, remove debris and to manage traffic during crashes and incidents.  SHA maintenance shops will position portable electronic message signs to direct Fleet Week travelers to alternate locations to enter Baltimore City based on congestion levels. 

SHA recommends that local commuters use mass transit for convenience traveling to Fleet Week.  For real-time travel and commuter information, SHA encourages motorists to log onto www.md511.org or 5-1-1 from a hands-free mobile device.