Department of Transportation announces Preakness road closures

BALTIMORE - The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is urging drivers to stay away from certain roads over the next few days.

All of the changes and closures are planned for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course Saturday.

Gates for the day will open at 8 a.m., but because of the huge crowds expected, carpooling and public transportation are strongly recommended.

The following streets will be closed to through traffic on Preakness Day:

Saturday May 21, 2011 - 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

• Southbound Jones Falls Expressway exit ramp to eastbound Northern Parkway.  Motorists will be redirected to the Cold Spring Lane exits.
• Cylburn Avenue from Northern Parkway to Greenspring Avenue

Saturday May 21, 2011 - 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

• Southbound Jones Falls Expressway exit ramp to westbound Northern Parkway.  Motorists will be redirected to the Cold Spring Lane exits.
• Westbound Northern Parkway from Falls Road to Greenspring Avenue

The following special traffic modifications will also be in effect:

Thursday May 19, 2011 starting at 10 p.m. until Saturday May 21, 2011 at 8 p.m.

• Rogers Avenue - One way westbound from Winner to Park Heights Avenues
• Winner Avenue - One way northbound from Hayward to Rogers Avenue
• Manhattan Avenue - One way eastbound from Winner Avenue to Pimlico Road
• Whitney Avenue - One way westbound from Pimlico Road to Key Avenue
• Sulgrave Avenue - One way westbound from Stuart to Highgate Avenues
• Rockwood Avenue - One way eastbound from Key to Berkeley Avenues
• Simmonds Avenue - One way southbound from Rockwood to Manhattan Avenues
• Woodcrest Avenue - One way northbound from Northern Parkway to Rockwood Avenue
• Merville Avenue - One way southbound from Glen Avenue to Northern Parkway
• Berkely Avenue - One way northbound from Whitney to Glen Avenues
• Stuart Avenue - One way northbound from Northern Parkway to Sulgrave Avenue
• Rusk Avenue - One way southbound from Whitney Avenue to Northern Parkway

Thursday May 19, 2011 starting at 10 p.m. until Saturday May 21 at 9 p.m.

• Rogers Avenue - Closed to traffic from Winner Avenue to Northern Parkway

Saturday May 21, 2011 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

• Hayward Avenue - One way eastbound from Park Heights to Winner Avenues

Saturday May 21, 2011 from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

• Pimlico Road - Closed from Northern Parkway to Ken Oak Road
• Pimlico Road - One way northbound from Ken Oak Road to Greenspring Avenue