Traffic Alert: Capital Jazz Fest Brings Delays to Downtown Columbia

The traffic snarls you encounter today in downtown Columbia will only worsen through the weekend, says the Howard County Police Department, as thousands of concertgoers head to the Merriweather Post Pavilion for Capital Jazz Fest.

The four-day music festival kicks off Friday night with performances by Erykah Badu and John Legend. Nearly 30 national acts will perform on two stages.

The 2014 festival lineup includes Kem, Dianne Reeves, Rick Braun, Chaka Khan, Incognito, The O'Jays, Rachelle Ferrell, Faith Evans, Michael Franks, and more. Catch a two-hour tribute to George Duke and a special "Friday Night Soul" concert featuring Erykah Badu and John Legend, plus the annual "Catch A Rising Star" showcase of up-and-coming jazz and soul music artists.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes where possible, especially on Saturday and Sunday. Those traveling to the Mall in Columbia or Town Center area should use Governor Warfield Parkway or Little Patuxent Parkway access from Rt. 29.

Peak congestion times will include Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following roads will be affected:

• Little Patuxent Parkway between Governor Warfield Parkway and South Entrance Road 
• Broken Land Parkway between Rt. 29 and Little Patuxent Parkway
• Broken Land Parkway between Little Patuxent Parkway and Twin Rivers Road (temporarily closed) 
• Little Patuxent Parkway between South Entrance Road and Broken Land Parkway (temporarily closed)