WASHINGTON — Southern Maryland residents who commute into Washington each day are already beginning to feel the effects of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, weeks before the first race car takes the green flag.
Crews have started transforming downtown streets into a temporary INDYCAR race circuit, with overnight construction, pavement upgrades and safety improvements now underway throughout the National Mall area. For thousands of commuters traveling from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties via Route 4, Route 5, Suitland Parkway or Interstate 295, the work marks the beginning of several weeks of changing traffic patterns ahead of race weekend.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race to be held through the streets of the nation’s capital, is scheduled for Aug. 22-23. The event will feature a 1.66-mile, seven-turn temporary street circuit winding through the ceremonial core of Washington, passing landmarks including the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument…