Artscape is nearly here, which means great art, entertainment, shopping, and food. It also means motorists might need help navigating traffic in Downtown Baltimore, where the festival is being held for the first time.
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation has put out advisories and information about road closures and parking restrictions to help drivers get where they need to go while Artscape is taking place on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25.
Parking restrictions already began on Tuesday, May 20, but road closures begin on Friday, May 23. Electronic road signs will let drivers know about closures in advance, and once implemented, motorists will be rerouted to alternate routes by the Baltimore City Police (BPD), Transportation Enforcement Officers (TEOs), signs and/or electronic message boards.
The Department of Transportation encourages everyone to plan for these road closures, use alternate routes, and allow themselves additional travel time leading up to and during Artscape.
Drivers should pay close attention to posted parking restrictions, as well. Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed and towed. In that event, drivers will be to call 311 to learn where their vehicle is.
The following is a list of parking restrictions and street closures, along with times and dates they are in effect:
Parking will be restricted:
- ES Holliday Street opposite 225 Holliday Street (Peale Museum) from Tuesday, May 20, 12 a.m. until Thursday, May 22, 11:59 p.m.
- BS E. Saratoga Street, between Holliday Street and N. Gay Street from Tuesday, May 20, 12 a.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m.
- JFX A Lot, between N. Gay Street and Pleasant Street from Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m.
Parking in the following areas will be restricted from Wednesday, May 21, 6 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m.:
- JFX B Lot, between Pleasant Street and Guilford Avenue
- Mercy Lot, between Holliday Street and Guilford Avenue
- Sheriff Lot, between Holliday Street and Guilford Avenue
Parking in the following areas will be restricted from Friday, May 23, 2 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m.:
- WS N. Gay Street, between E. Baltimore Street and E. Lexington Street.
- SS E. Fayette Street, between Holliday Street and President Street.
- NS E. Fayette Street, between Holliday Street and N. Gay Street.
- ES N. Frederick Street, between E. Fayette Street and E. Lexington Street.
- BS Holliday Street, between E. Baltimore Street and E. Fayette Street.
- BS Holliday Street, between E. Lexington Street and E. Saratoga Street.
- WS Holliday Street, between E. Saratoga Street and E. Pleasant Street.
- ES Guilford Avenue, between E. Pleasant Street and E. Saratoga Street.
- SS E. Lexington Street, between Holliday Street and N. Frederick Street.
- NS E. Lexington Street, between Holliday Street and N. Gay Street.
In addition to parking restrictions, the following streets will be closed to traffic, with detours and parking restrictions in effect from Friday, May 23, 3 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m.:
- Fayette Street closed from President Street to Guilford Avenue.
- Gay Street closed from E. Baltimore Street to E. Saratoga Street.
- Holliday Street closed from E. Baltimore Street to Pleasant Street.
- Pleasant Street closed from Fallsway to Guilford Avenue.
- Pleasant Street Ramp closed at SB JFX.
- Lexington Street closed from Guilford Avenue to N. Frederick Street.
- Frederick Street closed from E. Fayette Street to E. Lexington Street.
- Dickey Place closed from Guilford Avenue to Holliday Street.
- Saratoga Street closed from Holliday Street to N. Gay Street.
- Saratoga Street between Holliday Street and Guilford Avenue will have a temporary two-way traffic pattern implemented for Breco Condominium residents.
People driving in these areas should keep a careful eye out for changing traffic patterns. Consider using alternate routes to avoid Artscape if that is not where you are headed. See Artscape’s website for additional information.
Charm City Circulator (CCC) Service along the Green Route bus will be modified for Artscape. Those detours and temporary stop closures will be in effect from Friday, May 23, 2 p.m. until Monday, May 26, 12 a.m. Riders using the CCC might see longer than normal wait times. Download the Passio GO! App to see when the next Circulator bus will arrive. Additional information is on the CCC website.
Temporary Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) bus diversions and modified mobility pick up/drop off locations will be in effect during Artscape. See the MTA website for specific information about these detours.
