Raleigh traffic headaches expected for concerts, state fair

Zoom in: Pop singer Billie Eilish is playing the Lenovo Center Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 as part of her "Hit Me Hard and Soft" world tour.

• That coincides with the first two days of the fair, which last year saw 44,326 and 74,679 attend, per fair officials.
• Lenovo Center seats around 20,000 people.

What they're saying: The venue issued a traffic alert ahead of the show, encouraging fans to carpool and arrive early. Lenovo Center lots open at 1pm.

• "Local traffic is encouraged to consider alternate routes," the alert says.

Between the lines: Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes have embarked on a lengthy road trip to avoid the fair. They're in the midst of a six-game stretch away.

• And N.C. State, which calls the nearby Carter-Finley Stadium home, doesn't have another home football game until next month.

What's next: The fair is sticking around through Oct. 26, and two more concerts at Lenovo Center will snarl traffic before it's over.

• NBA YoungBoy on Friday, Oct. 24 (95,997 people at the fair the same time last year).
• Tate McRae on Saturday, Oct. 25 (125,131 people at the fair).

If you go: Some public transit options exist.

• There are shuttles to the fairgrounds departing from locations in Raleigh, Garner and Durham. Amtrak trains stop there as well.

Yes, but: The bus that normally stops near both venues is detoured during the fair.