Section of Charles Street To Close Monday

A detour preventing commuters from traveling on Charles Street heading north between 28th Street and University Parkway, barring weather delays, is scheduled to begin Monday and last through the fall of 2014.

Adrienne Barnes, a Baltimore City Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said the detour is expected to cause traffic delays initially during the evening rush hour.

"Until people get used to the closure being in effect I’m sure—like any closure—there will be some delays the first couple of days," Barnes said.

According to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s Charles Street reconstruction website, traffic heading north will be diverted east on 28th Street and north on Calvert Street to University Parkway. Traffic heading south is already being detoured to St. Paul Street.  

Barnes encouraged commuters who are heading to Baltimore County from downtown and Mt. Vernon to use Interstate 83, as opposed to trying to commute on surface streets through North Baltimore.

During the reconstruction, local traffic and emergency vehicles will be able to access Charles Street headed north between 28th Street and University Parkway and businesses along that stretch of the road will remain open.

Cross streets are anticipated to stay open, including the Art Museum Drive and 33rd Street connection, except for an occasional weekend closing, according to the reconstruction website.

The project is part of a major reconstruction of Charles Street that is expected to cost about $28 million to reconstruct the road, median and sidewalk between 28th and Street and University Parkway.