Navigating Charlotte during the RNC? Here’s a list of road closures, security stops
Workers, visitors and travelers in uptown Charlotte may have to find another path Monday with the Republican National Convention in town.
On Friday, the RNC Joint Information Center — an agency involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police — released details on how traffic will be impacted through Aug. 25.
To establish a security perimeter, certain streets near the Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame will be closed. Three checkpoints will be used for anyone trying to enter.
Interstate 277 in both directions will remain open, as will on-ramps to Interstate 277 from South Caldwell Street, near South Boulevard and South Church Street.
Road closures, parking restrictions
Road closures will be lifted by 6 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Off-limits parking areas are posted with “Emergency No Parking” signs.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and Charlotte Department of Transportation will enforce the parking restrictions and road closures. If a vehicle is towed, officials advise using the city of Charlotte’s 311.
Roads closed:
▪ Southbound I-277 exit ramp onto South College Street
▪ South College Street between W. Morehead Street and East Hill Street
▪ South College Street between the Westin Hotel and 3rd Street
▪ South Brevard Street between East Stonewall Street and 3rd Street
▪ East Stonewall Street between the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and S. Caldwell Street
▪ East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from the middle of the block (between South Tryon Street and South College Street) and South Caldwell Street
▪ All alleyways and roads within the perimeter
Checkpoints
Three vehicle checkpoints will search and screen vehicles. Only limited, authorized traffic will be allowed. That includes: vehicles with delegates, RNC staff and guests, residents, employees, business patrons, food delivery services, ride shares, taxis, Uber, Lyft, and repair services.
All other vehicles will be turned away.
Businesses nearby and within the perimeter can remain open if permitted by coronavirus regulations. All drivers should exit at the checkpoint they entered.
Checkpoint No. 1, located at South Tryon Street at West Morehead Street will provide access to: Tryon Street, the Westin Hotel, Regions Bank building on College Street, Stonewall Street parking garages between Tryon Street and the Harvey Gantt Center and MLK Boulevard. Any businesses and eateries on “The Green” can be accessed by walking.
Checkpoint No. 2, located on South Caldwell Street, provides access to the entrance of the NASCAR Hall of Fame/office tower parking garage. The garage is accessible to building tenants only. Businesses in the area that are allowed to open can be reached by walking.
Checkpoint No. 3, located at South Caldwell Street and South Boulevard will be used to access the Novel Stonewall Station Apartments, Whole Foods and Home 2 Suites. Businesses in this area can only use the parking garage accessible from South Boulevard. Residents, guests and shoppers should access the parking area from South Boulevard.
Public transportation
The CATS Lynx Light Rail tracks are closed on the Blue Line between Carson Station and the 7th Street Station until 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Those stations will remain open but the the MLK/Convention Center and Trade Street stations will be closed.
A bus bridge for through riders between Carson Street and 7th Street station will be available. No bus service will be allowed inside the perimeter.
According to the press release issued by RNC Security Joint Information Center, an airspace security plan will be implemented to secure the airspace over the Charlotte metropolitan area. The Federal Aviation Administration has also designated the Charlotte area as a “No Drone Zone” and will implement temporary flight restrictions from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24.
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 8:58 PM.
