When traffic will be worst for Concert for Carolina in Charlotte. Avoid these roads.
Traffic will be unusually heavy for a Saturday in uptown Charlotte this weekend.
Concert-goers will pack Bank of America Stadium for the sold-out Concert for Carolina benefit for people in Western North Carolina struggling due to the aftermath of former hurricane Tropical Storm Helene.
Big-name performers at the concert include Luke Combs, Eric Church, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery and Bailey Zimmerman.
And the undefeated (1-0!) Charlotte Hornets take on the Miami Heat several blocks away at Spectrum Center a couple hours after the concert begins.
The concert begins at 5 p.m., so expect traffic to be heaviest in the afternoon. The city will close seven sections of well-traveled streets beginning at 3 p.m., and six sections from 11 p.m. Saturday to midnight, according to the city’s street closings map.
And at 8 a.m. Saturday, parts of Brooklyn Village Avenue, Graham Street and Mint Street will be closed.
The Hornets game begins at 7 p.m.
Light rail is your best option to avoid the traffic mess, city officials say, as streets will be closed throughout the morning, afternoon and night.
What streets in Charlotte are closed for ‘Concert for Carolina’?
These streets will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the Charlotte Department of Transportation:
▪ Brooklyn Village Avenue, between Church and Mint Streets.
▪ Graham Street, between Mint Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
▪ Mint Street, between Morehead Street and 1st Street.
Closed from 3 p.m. Saturday to midnight will be:
▪ 1st Street, between Mint and Church streets.
▪ Graham Street, right southbound lane between 4th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
▪ Mint Street, between Brooklyn Village Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
▪ Mint Street, right northbound lane between West Trade Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
▪ Mint Street, between Carson Boulevard and Morehead Street.
▪ South Church Street, between Carson Boulevard and Morehead Street.
▪ West Morehead Street, right lane between South Tryon Street and the Interstate 77 northbound ramp.
Closed from 11 p.m. to midnight will be:
▪ 4th Street, both eastbound lanes between Graham and Mint streets.
▪ Brooklyn Village Avenue, between Church and College streets.
▪ Graham Street, both southbound lanes between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and West 6th Street.
▪ Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, between Mint and Church streets.
▪ Mint Street, both southbound lanes between West Trade Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
▪ West Morehead Street, both westbound lanes between Church and Mint Streets.
Getting around uptown and safety tips
Keep your car at home
▪ Walk, bike or use a ride-sharing service or public transportation.
▪ Ride-share drop-off and pickup is typically at 3rd and Church streets near Romare Bearden Park for major stadium events.
The city also has an uptown travel safety guide on its website.
If you’re walking
▪ Wear bright clothing at night.
▪ Walk facing traffic.
▪ Remove headphones and remain alert.
▪ Watch for turning vehicles.
▪ Stay especially alert “in parking lots and around train and light rail tracks.”
If you’re bicycling
▪ Wear bright clothing at night.
▪ Wear a helmet.
▪ Ride with traffic.
▪ Use hand signals.
If you drive
▪ Make sure vehicle lights are on at night.
▪ Yield to pedestrians.
▪ Look for pedestrians and cyclists when turning.
▪ Use turning signals.
Receive traffic alerts
▪ Sign up for Charlotte Department of Transportation Getting Around email alerts at PublicInput.com. Register on the site for daily street closure and weekly street use and event notices.
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM.