ANNAPOLIS AREA TRAFFIC DELAYS POSSIBLE ON INAUGURATION DAY

(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – Although a coordinated effort among state, county, and city agencies is underway to ensure Inauguration Day goes smoothly, Maryland State Police and State Highway Administration officials are warning motorists traveling to and through the Annapolis area to be aware of the potential for road closures, detours, and possible delays.

Maryland State Police are working with personnel from the State Highway Administration, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Maryland Capital Police, Anne Arundel County Police, and the Annapolis Police Department to coordinate traffic into and out of Annapolis for the inauguration of Governor Martin O’Malley on January 19, 2011. The goal of all those working this combined effort is to enable individuals attending the event to arrive and depart as quickly and efficiently as possible. State troopers will be working traffic posts along Rowe Blvd., as well as conducting roving patrols throughout the area to assist with disabled vehicles and to quickly address any traffic crashes that may occur.

Despite the coordinated efforts, experience indicates traffic delays may occur. Those delays may be evident on I-97 and Rt. 50 during the morning and late afternoon hours on January 19th. Delays will occur on Rowe Blvd. and roads around the State House complex throughout the day. The State Highway Administration and Annapolis officials will have signs, message boards, and personnel on-location to direct motorists, in addition to the law enforcement officers working posts throughout the area.

Paid public parking is available at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium which can be reached by taking Taylor Avenue off Rowe Blvd. Police officers and signs will be posted to assist motorists with directions into the lot. Shuttle buses will run from the stadium to the site of the outdoor inaugural ceremony site on the west side of the State House.