The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced the road closures and parking restrictions in effect for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2010 starting at 2:00 p.m. The parade will begin at the intersection of Charles and Centre Streets and will proceed south on Charles Street. It will then continue east on Pratt Street to the disband area at Market Place. Disbanding will continue along Pratt Street from Market Place to President Street.

The parade will begin forming at 12:00 noon in the vicinity of the Washington Monument and should last approximately three hours. Periodic breaks in the march will allow vehicular traffic and pedestrians to proceed across the parade route. Special Traffic Enforcement Officers (STEO’s) will assist the Baltimore City Police with the movement of traffic in the downtown area. Motorists traveling in this vicinity may experience delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

Prior to the parade, the Shamrock 5K Race will be held at the intersection of Charles and Franklin Streets beginning at 1:00 p.m. Participants will proceed south on Charles Street, east on Conway Street, south on Light Street and east on Key Highway. Runners will turn around at Jackson Street and proceed west on Key Highway, north on Light Street and then east on Pratt Street. The race will end at Pratt Street and Market Place. Throughout the race, a designated travel lane will be highlighted for participants along the course route. Approximately 4,500 runners are expected to participate in this year’s race.

Street Closures During the Parade:
12:00 p.m. – Charles Street from Madison to Conway Streets
12:00 p.m. – Centre Street from Cathedral to St. Paul Streets
1:45 p.m. – Pratt Street from Howard to President Streets
1:45 p.m. – South Street at Lombard Street (local traffic only)

Parking Restrictions in Effect from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Mt. Vernon Place from Cathedral to St. Paul Streets
• Centre Street from Cathedral to St. Paul Streets
• Charles Street from Madison to Conway Streets
• Conway Street from Charles to Light Streets (south side)
• Market Place from Pratt to Lombard StreetsPratt Street from Gay Street to Market Place (north side)

Detours:

• Charles Street traffic will be detoured right (east) on Conway Street, left (north) on Light Street, left (north) on Calvert Street, left (west) on Madison Street and then right (north) back to Charles Street.
• Pratt Street traffic will be detoured left (north) on Howard Street, right (east) on Baltimore Street, left (north) on Gay Street, right (east) on Fayette Street, right (south) on President Street and then left (east) back to Pratt Street.
• Centre Street traffic will be detoured left (north) on Park Avenue, right (east) on Eager Street, right (south) on St. Paul Street and then left (east) back to Centre Street.

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation:
“Keeping Baltimore Moving Safely”

Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake provided residents with an update on Baltimore City’s snow preparations. The Department of Transportation’s snow removal effort will include more than 300 essential personnel, 120 fully-functional pieces of equipment and 10,800 tons of salt. City crews are continuing to remove large snow piles and continuing snow melting operations.

“While I’m praying for no snow, I want to assure the citizens of Baltimore that we are working diligently to prepare for the next snow storm,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “The City’s snow truck fleet can take a licking and keep ticking, thanks to the hard work of our mechanics at the central garage.”

Forecasters are predicting between one to five inches accumulation of wet snow and slush. The Baltimore City Snow Team, which includes the Departments of Transportation, Recreation and Parks, Public Works and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, coordinates all preparations for winter weather in the city. Working out of the Transportation Management Center, the Snow Team will monitor the storm as it approaches the region and issue warnings and alerts as necessary.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake urged all residents to listen to radio and television for updates. Those interested in additional information and throughout this weather event can visit www.396snow.com(External Link) or call the city’s snow line at 410-396-SNOW.

Residents are asked to refrain from driving during inclement winter weather unless necessary. Those who must drive are asked to clear their vehicles of all snow and ice for the safety of themselves, other motorists and pedestrians. During a snow emergency, the Department of Transportation will advise the public on road conditions and regulations through its Snow Emergency Plan phases.

Residents will be better prepared following an emergency if they prepare a home emergency supply kit containing a portable radio, a flashlight with extra batteries, and water (one gallon per person, per day for three days), food and necessary medicines. Residents can visit www.readysetgood.org for more information on emergency preparedness.

In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency situations, 3-1-1 should be utilized for questions and assistance.

“Please be sure to check in on your elderly or disabled neighbors and offer assistance,” added Mayor Rawlings-Blake.