Mount Vernon holiday lighting prompted street closures, transit detours
Baltimore's 54th annual Washington Monument lighting drew crowds and prompted citywide traffic controls, with multiple street closures and parking restrictions around Mount Vernon. The measures affected motorists and transit riders, including detours to the Charm City Circulator Purple Route, and underscored the need for residents to plan travel and parking during major public events.
The city’s annual Washington Monument lighting brought a concentrated window of traffic restrictions to Mount Vernon as officials managed crowd movement and safety around Mount Vernon Place. The event took place with the monument illumination and programming in the evening, and in anticipation of large attendance the city implemented phased street closures and enforced parking restrictions in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Baltimore City announced closures beginning as early as Wednesday morning in some areas, with the west side of North Charles Street from East Centre to East Madison streets closed to traffic from 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 3 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 4. Both sides of West Mount Vernon Place from North Charles to Cathedral streets were also closed during that same period. On Thursday the city expanded closures between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m., including the east side of North Charles Street from East Centre to Read streets, Madison Street from St. Paul to Cathedral streets, and both sides of East Mount Vernon Place from St. Paul to North Charles streets.
Baltimore City police and transportation enforcement officers were on site to direct traffic and manage pedestrian flows. The city warned drivers to be especially vigilant of posted parking restrictions, and advised that vehicles violating those restrictions would be ticketed and towed. Transit service was affected as the Charm City Circulator Purple Route was detoured for the duration of the event, a change that produced longer than normal wait times for some riders. City officials encouraged riders to use the Passio Go! app for up to date bus information.
For residents and businesses in Mount Vernon, the closures meant altered access to neighborhood streets during peak hours and the potential for delayed deliveries and appointments. The measures reflect routine trade offs between public safety and local mobility during high attendance events, and serve as a reminder for Baltimoreans to check traffic advisories and parking rules when major civic events are scheduled in dense urban areas.
