You’ve been warned, Atlanta drivers. Streets will be busier than normal Thursday evening as football fans and the Secret Service roll through town.
Two football games will bring thousands of people downtown long before the kickoffs. The Atlanta Falcons will host the Baltimore Ravens at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. It’s the Falcons’ final preseason game. Then at 7:30 p.m., Georgia Tech will kick off its football season vs. Alcorn State at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“Traffic is going to be terrible on the Downtown Connector and many of the big Midtown and downtown surface streets,” said Doug Turnbull, WSB traffic reporter. “Parking is limited near the Dome, and traffic is going to be bad anyway, so plan on taking MARTA.”
Vice President Joe Biden will also add to the traffic mess. Biden, considering a presidential bid, will be speaking at an Atlanta synagogue Thursday evening. But due to security concerns, the route for Biden's motorcade will not be released.
Other big weekend events in Atlanta are expected to bring thousands to town, and some of those people may arrive early for the festivities. Dragon Con, a four-day sci-fi, fantasy and comic convention, kicks of Friday. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend. The Atlanta Black Gay Pride celebration is also underway.
Additionally, with the Labor Day holiday weekend looming, many people will be hitting the road for a last hurrah of summer, putting more vehicles in the mix.
If teleworking is an option, you may want to consider it Thursday, Turnbull said. But if you have to drive, listen to WSB radio for frequent traffic updates.
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