CHARLOTTE – Thousands of race fans will be populating the roadways in northeast Mecklenburg County and southwest Cabarrus County in the coming days as NASCAR events kick off Friday, May 17, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, capped by the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 26. The N.C. Department of Transportation is preparing for increased traffic on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard.
NCDOT will use overhead message signs and portable message signs to alert motorists of potential problem areas and suggested alternate routes around incidents and congestion.
The Department advises motorists to check for real-time traffic information by going to www.DriveNC.gov, calling 511 or following NCDOT on Twitter.
Bruton Smith Boulevard often sees the most traffic volume, because mobile direction services and GPS devices typically direct users to this route. However, NCDOT advises motorists to use U.S. 29 instead to reduce delays getting to the spedway.
The following are suggested routes for motorists heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway:
For motorists traveling from South Carolina: Take I-77 North to the I-485 outer loop (Exit 1B) to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33);
For motorists traveling from west of Charlotte: Take I-85 North to I-485 (Exit 30) and follow I-485 Inner to U.S. 29 North. An alternate route is I-85 North to Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) to Pitts School Road to U.S. 29 South;
For motorists traveling from east of Charlotte: Take the I-485 outer loop to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33); and
For motorists traveling from north of Charlotte: Take I-85 South to George W. Liles Parkway (Exit 54) to U.S. 29 South.
Commuters who use I-85 through this area should adjust driving time or, if possible, use an alternate route, especially during the weekend.
After race events, all traffic will be directed away from the speedway. Motorists should always follow the direction of law enforcement.