Biden-Trump debate traffic to test the strongest of wills
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Two VIP arrivals, a nationally televised presidential debate and a Copa América soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will make for terrible traffic in Atlanta Thursday night. Prepare.
Why it matters: Gridlock is bad enough in transit-poor metro Atlanta on your average Thursday.
State of play: 10th Street between State Street and Spring Street will close Wednesday night through Thursday night, according to Georgia Tech.
- Fowler Street, which fronts Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion, will also close; that's where news media will post up to cover the debate.
Arrivals: Both candidates are expected to arrive hours before the debate takes place though neither the campaigns nor Atlanta police have released ETAs, likely for security reasons.
- President Biden is expected to touch down at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Former President Trump has not disclosed where he will land.
Be smart: If history is any indicator, expect a rolling blockade on I-75/85 as Biden's and Trump's motorcades travel to the CNN Studios near Midtown overlooking the Downtown Connector.
Zoom out: Georgia Tech has advised employees to consider following the school's summer flexible work policy to avoid the headaches.
- Campus transit, including the on-demand late-night Stingerette service, will also be rerouted to avoid the closures, the university said.
The intrigue: Activists opposed to the Israel-Hamas war and Atlanta's public safety training center have also planned to protest nearby.
What we're watching: Trump is expected to deliver remarks to supporters after the debate at a fundraiser and watch party hosted by former Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her husband, Jeff Sprecher, the CEO of Intercontinental Exchange.
- The location has not been disclosed, but if the couple's Buckhead mansion is the spot, avoid north Atlanta.
The bottom line: Work from home, ride transit, hop on a bike.