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PRESS RELEASE
Mayor Young Provides Update on Downtown Flooding and Underground Collapse
BALTIMORE, MD. — On Monday, July 8, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young deployed personnel from the city’s Office of Emergency Management to Howard and Pratt Streets in response to a report of a collapse in an underground vault. Several City employees were trapped during the collapse of the underground vault, with one worker suffering serious injuries. All employees have been rescued and the worker who sustained the most serious injuries is currently being treated at a local hospital. City officials have been in contact with the employee’s family.
Multiple agencies remain on scene and are working to determine whether the collapse of the underground vault is connected to this morning’s water main break that caused flooding at M&T Bank Stadium. The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Department are providing emergency planning expertise, including supporting operational needs, preparing situation and status reports, fostering communication and coordination between private, state, and local partners, and preparing recovery documentation. Throughout the night, crews from the Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation will conduct assessments to determine best way to restore the collapsed vault.
Workers will also conduct assessments to the structure of the CSX Tunnel to best determine how to safely resume regular Light Rail and CSX train service.
Agencies on the Scene:
· Baltimore City Fire Department
· Baltimore City Department of Transportation
· Baltimore City Police Department
· Department of Public Works
· CSX
· CSX Police
· Maryland Transportation Authority
· Maryland Transportation Authority Police
· BGE
· Maryland Department of the Environment
Road Closures
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists of several streets in the downtown area that are temporarily closed due to safety concerns.
Pratt Street is closed from Paca to Sharp Streets
Traffic on inbound Russell Street cannot turn onto Pratt Street — motorist must continue to Baltimore Street or other routes. Traffic on West Pratt must turn left onto Paca Street.
Northbound I-395 is closed at Conway Street
Traffic inbound on I-395 cannot proceed North onto Howard Street — motorist must turn right onto Conway Street to Charles or Light Street.
Southbound Howard Street is closed from Lombard to Conway Street
Traffic destined for Southbound I-395 cannot use Lombard to Howard Street but can use Lombard to Light Street or Lombard to Sharp Street to Conway to I-395. Motorists should expect congestion in the Southwest portion of the central business district —area South of Fayette and West of Charles street.
Motorists are advised to avoid using west Pratt Street to enter downtown— and encouraged to use Mulberry or Baltimore Streets instead.
Motorists on the Northbound 295 (Russell Street) are advised to follow Paca Street to Mulberry (US 40) or Baltimore Street.
Motorists on inbound I-395 are advised to follow Conway Street to Charles or Light Street.
These closures will significantly affect traffic in the downtown area, as Howard Street is a main route for commuters trying to access I-395. Citizens are strongly encouraged to avoid this portion of downtown Baltimore until further notice and to use alternate routes away from the affected area.
Light Rail Services
Light RailLink service is temporarily suspended between North Avenue and Camden Yards stations.
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