Politics & Government

Donald Trump visit to close Charlotte interstate for hours Friday, police say

Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance on Aug. 29 in La Crosse, Wis. Initial estimates from tax and budget specialists found that even if Congress were to eliminate every dollar of nondefense discretionary spending, it still wouldn’t offset the estimated expense of the wide-ranging tax cuts that Trump has floated in recent weeks.
Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance on Aug. 29 in La Crosse, Wis. Initial estimates from tax and budget specialists found that even if Congress were to eliminate every dollar of nondefense discretionary spending, it still wouldn’t offset the estimated expense of the wide-ranging tax cuts that Trump has floated in recent weeks. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK

Interstate 85 will close for hours in two parts of Charlotte when former President Donald Trump flies to the city on Friday, police said.

Trump is scheduled to address the Fraternal Order of Police’s National Board of Trustees at its fall meeting in Charlotte. The meeting began Wednesday and ends Monday.

Police will close I-85 around Charlotte Douglas International Airport and in north Charlotte from 2:30 to 7 p.m. “to accommodate the visit of former President Trump for a private event,” CMPD said on social media platform X on Thursday.

All traffic will be detoured onto other roads, police said.

“We strongly encourage you to plan ahead and expect significant delays on alternative routes,” CMPD said. “We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we ensure the safety and security of this event.”

An N.C. Department of Transportation camera shows Interstate 85 at Billy Graham Parkway at 3:47 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Police said they would close two parts of the interstate for former President Donald Trump’s visit for a campaign event.
An N.C. Department of Transportation camera shows Interstate 85 at Billy Graham Parkway at 3:47 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Police said they would close two parts of the interstate for former President Donald Trump’s visit for a campaign event. N.C. DOT

Trump’s visit highlights the increasing attention being paid to North Carolina as the election nears. Trump, the Republican candidate, had a clear lead in the state before President Joe Biden dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him. Since then, most polls show that the state has become an important tossup.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, was in Raleigh last week to visit campaign workers and attend a fundraiser.

This story was originally published September 5, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

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Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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