The Patuxent River Air Expo 09 will take place on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park. This event is very popular and organizers are expecting heavy community support and participation. Past Air Expos have attracted upwards of 20,000 visitors to the NAS Patuxent River.
Travelers to the Solomon’s Island, California and Lexington Park, areas should expect and plan for significant traffic congestion and delays so please plan accordingly and allow for travel time to and from the event.
Sheriff Timothy Cameron and other local law enforcement expect most congestion and delays to occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s traffic volume will be even heavier because the Air Expo ends about the same time the Hank Williams, Jr. concert begins at the Solomon’s Marine Museum. The main congestion areas will be as follows:
Northbound St. Andrews Church Road (Maryland Route 4) crossing over Maryland Route 235 to continue on Route 4 into Calvert County.
Eastbound Chancellor’s Run Road (Maryland Rt. 237) approaching Maryland Route 235 to travel north on Maryland Route 235.
Southbound Route 235 turning left onto northbound Route 4 to continue into Calvert County.
Visitor traveling north on Route 235 towards Charles and Calvert County should exit Gate 1 out of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
Local traffic traveling towards southern St. Mary’s County or northbound Route 5 toward Leonardtown, Maryland should exit Gate 3 out of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station to travel across Great Mills Road (Route 246) and then on to north and southbound Route 5.
Those persons traveling to the Hank Williams, Jr. concert on Saturday should consider leaving early and/or taking an alternate route such as traveling north on Route 235 to eastbound Route 231 and travel southbound on Route 4 into Solomon’s Island.
Sheriff Cameron hopes this public service announcement will assist in alleviating travel related issues. Please exercise tolerance and patience when confronted with the expected traffic congestion and delays. Law enforcements ultimate goal is to ensure all participants travel and arrive safely to and from these exciting community events.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.