Avoiding the traffic jam on the way to the U2 concert in Baltimore

BALTIMORE, Md. - Parking at M&T Bank Stadium for Wednesday night’s U2 concert is just a last-minute detail for Natalie Kratfel of White Marsh.

The radio contest winner and a friend will already be parking themselves with a pair of free tickets for the concert.

"I had my Mom and my sister and myself call and I was the lucky one who won,” said Kratfel, “and when they called me I was just like, 'You're kidding me.' It was just so sudden cause I don't have luck like that at all."

As many as 80,000 people are expected to cram into the Ravens venue for the U2 concert, and local economist Morris Segall says it couldn’t have come at a better time for Charm City.

"You could be generating well over $5 million in gross receipts just from the ticket sales so this is a big deal," said Segall.

The seven biggest hotels in downtown Baltimore are booked up for two solid days, and we’re told rooms are scarce at the smaller ones.

Tickets are also disappearing fast with tickets ranging from $30 to $55 remaining behind the stage.

City transportation officials warn concert goers to try to avoid clashing with afternoon commuters.

"We're encouraging motorists to go to the Stadium Authority and purchase a parking pass in advance,” said Transportation Spokeswoman Kathy Chopper, “At this point, you can go to the ticket office and pick that parking pass up for 35 dollars."

If you haven’t purchased a parking pass yet, the Stadium Authority is withholding three cash lots (Lots K, L and M) which will open at 4pm, and local garages may have room as daily and weekly permit holders clear out from work.

The city is also encouraging people to use the light rail, which has extended its hours through midnight to accommodate those heading home from the concert.

  Heading to the concert?  Make sure you're prepared for the weather.  Read our U2 concert weather blog .