Downtown workers might want to lay the groundworrk for an early departure Friday, because starting at 6 p.m.the streets could become more of a mess than usual.

The city Department of Transportation is warning that it will impose a series of lane closings and parking restrictions that evening for the Preakness Parade of Lights, which goes from Market Place and Pratt Street to Hopkins Place.

The curb lane of Pratt Street and market Place between Pratt and Water streets will close at 6 p.m. and remain shut down at 10 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the curb lane of Lombard Street will be closed between Hanover Street and Howard Street. Also closing from then until 10 p.m. will be Hopkins Plaza between Baltimore and Lombard streets.

At 8:15 p.m. Pratt Street will be shut down between President Street and Howard Street, while Hopkins Plaza  and Sharp Street will close between Lombard and Conway streets.

It sounds like a good reason to take light rail or Metro  if you go downtown at all.