Motorists Should Expect Delays and Plan Extra Commuting Time

(May 18, 2018) – The Annapolis area of Anne Arundel County will be a flurry of activity as the United States Naval Academy (USNA) prepares for commencement and commissioning week on Friday, May 25. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will deploy additional Coordinated Highway Action Response Team (CHART) patrols to help traffic moving efficiently for the event. 

MDOT SHA will close the MD 450 (Naval Academy Bridge) over the Severn River during the Blue Angels’ practice runs. On Tuesday, the closure will last between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Wednesday afternoon between 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. Motorists are strongly encouraged to use MD 70 (Rowe Boulevard) to enter or exit Annapolis and allow extra travel time.

Additionally, crews will block the right lane on eastbound US 50 prior to MD 450 (West Street) on Tuesday and Wednesday mid-afternoon to allow traffic to depart Annapolis after the air shows. Approximately 140,000 motorists will be travelling US 50 between I-97 and the Severn River Bridge daily. On April 30, MDOT SHA opened a fourth lane on eastbound US 50 on the Severn River Bridge, which will help ease congestion.

The Naval Academy graduation ceremony is Friday and thousands of people will arrive at varying times throughout the day. Additionally, MDOT SHA expects increased holiday/eastbound traffic beginning Thursday and throughout the day Friday. MDOT SHA also anticipates traffic delays late Sunday and Monday with the conclusion of the long holiday weekend. MDOT SHA CHART crews will be patrolling US 50 and other SHA-maintained roads to assist with disabled vehicles, highway debris removal, and crashes.

Motorists are urged to use www.md511.org and plan extra commuting time and consider alternate routes such as MD 2 (Governor Ritchie Highway) to US 50 if traveling toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.