Annapolis, MD – The City of Annapolis welcomes the family and friends of the United States Naval Academy’s Class of 2022 Midshipmen for Commissioning Week activities, May 22 to 27, 2022. The graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2022 will take place on Friday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis.
For a full listing of events and activities, visit https://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek.
In the days before the graduation and commissioning ceremony, City residents and visitors should expect heavy traffic, temporary road and bridge closures, parking limitations, maritime traffic restrictions and increased security in downtown.
Hours and restrictions for vehicular and pedestrian access to the U.S. Naval Academy during Commissioning Week is posted on the Commissioning Week website; the outdoor graduation ceremony is limited to invited Naval Academy and Class of 2022 guests and authorized personnel only.
PARKING: The best option for getting onto the yard is to park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and take the free shuttle to enter through the Visitor Center at Gate One. With the closure of the downtown Hillman Garage for a rebuild, the closest parking garage options are: Gott’s, Knighton and Park Place. For more information on parking and navigating downtown, visit: www.AccessAnnapolis.com.
HEAVY TRAFFIC: Make a plan to accommodate the increase in cars and pedestrian traffic as much as possible. Allow yourself plenty of extra time and please be courteous to out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with City streets. Download the “Prepare Me Annapolis” mobile app (Apple/Android) to receive local traffic alerts.
On Friday, May 27, traffic around Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Blvd. will be heavy until approximately 3 p.m.
TEMPORARY ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES: On Tuesday, May 24, the Route 450 (Naval Academy) bridge will be closed between 10:45 a.m. until approximately 3:45 p.m. for the Blue Angels flyover rehearsal. The bridge will close again on Wednesday, May 25 at approximately 1:45 p.m. until approximately 4 p.m. for the Blue Angels flight demonstration.
DOWNTOWN PARKING LIMITATIONS: Expect parking to be limited throughout the week. Visit www.AnnapolisParking.com to reserve garage parking at Gott’s Garage in advance. Please note that there will be strict enforcement of metered parking, two-hour limited spaces, Residential Permit Zones and red zones. Visitors are strongly encouraged to park at Knighton (Corner of Colonial Avenue and West Street) and Park Place (Just off of West Street and Spa Road) Garages and take the free downtown shuttle.
On Friday, May 27, 2022, there will be no state employee parking at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Lot. The parking lot will be reserved for graduation attendees. City and state employees who normally park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium should relocate to the Calvert Street Garage.
MARITIME TRAFFIC:
MAIN STEM OF SEVERN/SPA CREEK RESTRICTIONS: Boaters, please pay close attention to markers that delineate exclusionary zones and the temporary channel (marked by red and green buoys). Do not anchor in the temporary channel. Look for public safety boats and follow instructions promptly. Follow all boating safety laws. The Annapolis Harbormaster operates on VHF 17. The area will be patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Annapolis Harbormaster, Annapolis Police, and Annapolis Fire Rescue boats.
SEVERN RIVER RESTRICTIONS: On Tuesday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 25, there will be restrictions to boat traffic between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. No anchoring or boating in the following areas on the Severn River and its tributaries: North of the quick flashing light at the south end of the Naval Academy seawall to Greenbury Point and South for a line marked by the Rt 450 Severn River Bridge. All boats including those tied to private docks are prohibited from navigation in this exclusionary zone.
INCREASED SECURITY: All residents and visitors should remain aware of their surroundings. Please identify suspicious personnel, packages or behavior to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Dial 9-1-1 for emergency response. For non-emergency inquiries or questions, contact the Annapolis Call Center at 410-260-2211.
