Traffic Advisory

Lombard Street Improvement Project Scheduled to Begin Tomorrow

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced that the Lombard Street Improvement Project is set to begin tomorrow. The project was originally scheduled to begin in early spring, but was delayed until July 15, 2009 because of an unexpected water main break. Since then, most of the infrastructure repairs have been completed and we are now ready to embark on the next phases of the project. The project is expected to be completed by late fall. On Wednesday, July 15, 2009 improvements such as milling, resurfacing and sidewalk repairs will get underway. Motorists should expect delays and pay strict attention to all parking restrictions and new traffic patterns in the vicinity. Special Traffic Enforcement Officers (STEOs), Variable Message Signs (VMS) and traffic signal optimization will help assist with the flow of traffic.

Phase I of milling and resurfacing begins on Lombard Street from east of Light Street to President Street temporarily closing several lanes of traffic. At least three lanes of traffic on Lombard Street will remain open at all times. When Phase II of the milling and resurfacing occurs on Lombard Street from west of Light Street to MLK Boulevard at least two lanes of traffic will remain open at all times. Several parking restrictions will be implemented periodically on Fayette Street during construction to minimize possible congestion in the area.

Business and community leaders have been briefed on the merits of the project. Various precautions will be taken to minimize disruptions to businesses and pedestrians during the construction period. Contractors working on the Lombard

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Contact: David Brown (443) 984-2182

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Street Improvement Project will often work extended hours to expedite the project. Access to local area businesses will be maintained at all times. Contractors will also give consideration to noise levels around area hospitals and hotels and have agreed to keep noise to a minimum during late night and early morning hours.

Traffic delays are inevitable. Leave early to allow extra travel time. Use alternative transportation choices to commute downtown if possible such as MTA bus service, the Charm City Circulator, water taxi, car pooling, biking and walking. To plan your travel routes ahead of time or to learn more about the Lombard Street Improvement Project you may go to the following websites:

www.lombardproject.com/routes/ (to view traffic cameras live) www.baltimorecity.gov/transporation (to view traffic cameras live) www.trafficland.com (to view traffic cameras live) www.GetAroundDowntown.com (to view traffic cameras live)

Alternate Routes:

Traffic traveling downtown from the east (Fells Point and Canton) areas etc. should use Central Avenue north, to west on Orleans Street. Follow Orleans Street west, to south on Martin Luther King Boulevard (MLK) or Greene Street to go to University of Maryland, stadium events, Baltimore -Washington Parkway (295) or I-95.

Update: Traffic traveling southbound on I-83 going to I-95/I-395 should take St. Paul Street or Guilford Avenue, to right on Madison Street and left on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Traffic traveling southbound I-83 going to I-95/I-395 (after closing of Artscape 2009 on July 21, 2009), Exit off I-83 at North Avenue towards Mount Royal Avenue, to Martin Luther King Boulevard to I-95/I-395.

Congestion Zone for the Lombard Street Improvement Project (boundaries include):

East and west between President Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

North and south between Pratt Street and Lexington Street

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Additional Department of Transportation Traffic Advisories can be found at: www.baltimorecity.gov

The Department of Transportation is committed to

“Keeping Baltimore moving safely now and in the future”.