Rolling Stones traffic might crawl, not roll through Raleigh
People going to the Rolling Stones’ concert at Carter-Finley Stadium on Wednesday evening might be in for an epic pre-show commute.
The show happens on a weeknight, so concertgoers will have to traverse evening rush-hour traffic. And the “Fortify I-40/I-440” work zone of Interstate 40 might be an issue for those coming from points east of the Triangle.
“It’s also the first unofficial night of the holiday-travel season for Fourth of July,” said Steve Abbott, a spokesman for the N.C. Department of Transportation. “We’re expecting a lot of out-of-towners who aren’t used to the area coming in.”
That turned out to be a major problem the last time Carter-Finley hosted a concert – U2 on Oct. 3, 2009. Even though it was a Saturday with no rush hour, a huge traffic snarl jammed roads around the stadium when too many vehicles using computerized navigational systems converged on Wade Avenue and Edwards Mill Road simultaneously.
To avoid a repeat, N.C. State officials have been meeting with the Department of Transportation and State Highway Patrol to make plans since the Stones show was announced in March. Ray Brincefield, assistant athletic director of facilities at N.C. State, said they even looked into ways of altering where GPS guidance systems sent drivers.
That wasn’t possible. So roadside message boards have been up since Friday warning drivers about the concert and possible traffic issues. Come Wednesday, the Highway Patrol will also have lots of boots on the ground to direct traffic in coordination with other agencies.
“This will be the first event in N.C. State history where we’ll have a fully manned DOT switchboard controlling every traffic camera and roadside message board within 10 miles of the stadium,” Brincefield said. “Based on what we see from cameras, we’ll change recommended routes on boards. The Highway Patrol will also have a large motorcycle team to cut off logjams and force people to go where less traffic is.”
At a bare minimum, concert-goers should allow extra time to get there. It would also be wise to avoid the eight-and-a-half-mile work-zone stretch of I-40 south of downtown even if it means going the long way.
“If you’re coming up I-40 from the east, we’re advising people to take 440 West all the way around to Wade Avenue and Blue Ridge,” said Abbott. “That will get away from the construction zone, although it will still be rush hour. And once you get to the stadium, troopers will be waving you into the parking lot of their choice, not yours.”
Concert logistics
Parking lots around Carter-Finley Stadium will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Lining up on roads before that time is not permitted.
Taxi drop off and pick up is at the Fairgrounds Reserved Parking Lot, corner of Trinity Road and Youth Center Drive.
Parking fee is $20 per car, $50 per bus or RV. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Parking-lot tailgating is allowed. Persons of legal age may consume malt beverages and unfortified wine. No alcohol permitted inside the stadium. Violations can result in ejection, arrest or ticket revocation.
Stadium gates open at 6 p.m.
Avett Brothers perform at 8 p.m.
The following are not allowed: animals, artificial noisemakers, backpacks, bags larger than 14-by-14 inches, bicycles, cameras with detachable lenses over 3 inches, coolers, food or drink, illegal substances, iPads, laser pointers, poles or sticks, signs or banners larger than 3 feet by 2 feet, umbrellas, video cameras or weapons.
SUGGESTED ROUTES
From I-40 Eastbound – Edwards Mill Road via Wade Avenue, exit 289
Option 1 – Take Edwards Mill Road exit; turn into Gate E from Edwards Mill Road to enter parking lots.
Option 2 – If Edwards Mill backs up, continue to Gate H.
Option 3 – If Gate H backs up, continue to Blue Ridge Road exit and use Gate F.
From I-40 Westbound, west of downtown – N.C. 54, exit 290
Option 1 – Turn left onto Edwards Mill Road, right on Trinity Road and use Gate C to enter parking lots.
Option 2 – Turn left on Youth Center Drive and cross Trinity Road to use Gate B.
From I-40 Westbound, east of Raleigh – I-440 West, exit 301
Take the Beltline and follow it north of downtown to Wade Avenue West, exit 4B.
From I-440 Westbound – Wade Avenue West, exit 4B
Take Blue Ridge Road exit and use Gate F to enter parking lots.
From US-1 Northbound – N.C. 54/Hillsborough Street
Take the exit toward Meredith College and go right, turn right on Blue Ridge Road and left on Trinity Road to use Gate G to enter parking lots (or Fairgrounds parking lots on the left).
This story was originally published June 29, 2015 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Rolling Stones traffic might crawl, not roll through Raleigh."