With apologies to Kmart, "Attention, shoppers."
Anne Arundel County police issued a holiday traffic advisory to the public yesterday, warning people to expect delays on roads around the new Arundel Mills mall off Route 100, watch for officers directing traffic and use the third and fourth entrances to the mall parking lot.
Police said "huge" State Highway Administration message boards will provide "useful information."
The department's final bit of advice: "Be patient."
Arundel Mills, with 217 stores that make it Maryland's largest shopping center, opened Friday, in time for the traditional holiday shopping period.
Police said the same contingent of officers used for the grand opening of the mall will be present for this weekend's expected crowds. On opening day, the mall's 6,500-space parking lot was filled to capacity by 10:30 a.m., and police began directing cars to a packed-dirt overflow lot nearby.
Those arriving in the afternoon said it took as long as a half-hour to find a space. Police said they expect to be able to control traffic this weekend without causing major disruptions on nearby roads.
