Navigating Commissioning Week
Annapolis welcomes thousands of friends and family of U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen for Commissioning Week activities, beginning May 17. The entire week leading up to the May 24 commissioning ceremony brings heavy traffic, temporary road and bridge closures, parking limitations, maritime traffic restrictions and increased security.
With more cars and pedestrians, you’ll need to give yourself extra time to navigate downtown Annapolis. Download the Prepare Me Annapolis mobile app to receive local traffic alerts. And please, Mayor Gavin Buckley asks, be courteous to out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with city streets.
Temporary Road and Bridge Closures
Tuesday May 21 the Rt. 450 (Taylor Ave.) bridge closes 10:45am-1:00pm for the Blue Angels circle and arrival (weather date is Wednesday May 22). The bridge closes again Tuesday and Wednesday 1:45-4:00pm for the Blue Angels rehearsal and flight demo.
May 21 & 22 USNA gates close to vehicular traffic, 11am-4pm.
Friday May 24 there will be early morning road closures in the area of Rowe Blvd., Taylor Ave. and King George St. Expect heavy traffic around Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium until approximately 3pm.
Parking Limitations
Expect parking to be limited throughout the week. Visit AnnapolisParking.com to reserve parking in advance. There will be enforcement of metered parking, two-hour limited spaces, residential permit zones and red zones. Visitors should park at Knighton (Colonial Ave. & West St.) and Park Place (West St. & Spa Rd.) garages and take the Circulator downtown.
Friday May 24 there will be no state employee parking at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium lot. Parking is reserved for graduation attendees. City and state employees who normally park at the stadium lot should relocate to the Calvert Street Garage.
Maritime Restrictions
During the Blue Angels demos on May 21 and 22, boaters should respect boating safety zones and follow all maritime laws, especially those that require a personal floatation device for each person on board and children under the age of 13. The area will be patrolled by the Coast Guard, Natural Resources Police, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Annapolis Police and Fire Rescue boats.
Severn River Marine Restrictions
May 21 and 22, 9:30am-4:00pm, no boat traffic or anchoring is allowed on the Severn River or its tributaries within an area stretching from the Rt. 50 Severn River Bridge south to a line drawn from the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point.
Increased Security
Security on Acaemy grounds is on high alert. Everyone over the age of 18 must present photo ID and is subject to search. Stay aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious people, packages or behavior to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Dial 911 for emergency response.