Howard County police are advising motorists to expect traffic congestion and delays in the area of Merriweather Post Pavilion and The Mall in Columbia due to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 to the area.
Police said starting at 10 a.m., officers will be directing traffic on Little Patuxent Parkway, Broken Land Parkway, South Entrance Road and Hickory Ridge Road. Delays are also expected on Route 29, and police will be using message boards and additional signage to assist motorists, according to a news release.
Police said access to the Town Center area and the mall from northbound Broken Land Parkway west of Route 29 will be limited due to road closures. Police advise motorists to use Governor Warfield Parkway as a secondary access.
Broken Land Parkway between Little Patuxent Parkway and Town Center Avenue will also be closed during the event. Police advise motorists to use the Twin Rivers Road access off Broken Land Parkway to get in and out of the Town Center area.
In addition to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest, several other large events taking place on Saturday in Columbia this weekend will also impact area roadways. Among them:
- Metric Marathon (Lakefront, Ellicott City, East Columbia areas, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
- Columbia Grand Prix (East Linden Church Road, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Columbia Bike About (Kings Contrivance area, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Wilde Lake High School Homecoming Parade (Twin Rivers Road area, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)