Race Fans Should Heed Traffic and No Parking Signs

BRISTOL, Tenn. – About 650,000 vehicles are expected to travel to, through and around Bristol Motor Speedway and the city’s southwest side this weekend.

In conjunction with the speedway, the city has devised a traffic plan to help move the vehicles through the area as safely as possible.

There has been one significant change of late.

Normally, the north entrance/exit to and from the speedway is reserved after racing events for pedestrian traffic only. This year, one lane of traffic will be open for vehicles to exit the facility.

Another important piece of advice this spring is to remember that daylight saving time has kicked in and fans are being asked to arrive early to account for any delays at security checkpoints, said David Metzger, the city transportation planning engineer.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has cleared all lanes in front of the speedway on U.S. Highway 11E. TDOT halted construction on widening bridges over Beaver Creek and Back Creek in front of BMS, but pedestrians are advised to be extra careful when walking near the structures.

"We do have light towers up at the bridges to enhance safety in those areas," Metzger said. "We’re also asking that people please be patient and pay attention to all directional signs."

As in previous years, no parking will be permitted on the shoulders and medians of the Volunteer Parkway, U.S. Highway 11E, Exide Drive, state Route 394, White Top Road, at electrical substations, or wherever signs indicate, Metzger said.

Race fans should also know that a hefty supply of law enforcement officers will be on hand throughout the weekend.

Bristol Tennessee Police Chief Blaine Wade said a command center, which is purposefully placed at an undisclosed location, will be up and running.

"It’s a multi-agency center with staff from our department, other local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, FBI, Tennessee Emergency Management and others," Wade said. "If people do find themselves in need of law enforcement, they should call 911 as they would at other times. The calls will be dispatched through the command center."

Wade also said 18 cameras will be placed at various areas inside the track, in the concourse areas, and at other locations outside the track. Officers will watch monitors from inside the center.

Finally, BMS and city officials suggest that those attending the races use a clear plastic bag to carry items into the facility to speed up the search process and to have coolers ready to be inspected at the gate.

ggray@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2512

YOU SHOULD KNOW

PRE-RACE: GETTING THERE

Signage will be in place for six routes leading to the speedway from Interstates 81 and 26. Primary routes are:

• 
  From Knoxville on I-81, Exit 57A to I-26 east to state Route 381 (State of Franklin Road) at Exit 19 in Johnson City, which leads to U.S. 11E north to BMS.
  


• 
  I-81’s Exit 66 (state Route 126) to Blountville, right onto Franklin Drive and right again onto Route 394 to BMS.
  


• 
  I-81’s Exit 69 (Route 394) in Blountville to BMS. This is a heavily traveled route.
  


• 
  I-81 south from Roanoke or Wytheville, Exit 17 (state Route 75) in Abingdon and follow southbound Route 75 into Tennessee, where it changes to state Route 44, which intersects U.S. Highway 421. Go north on 421 and turn left on Route 394, which will bring motorists into the Dragway side of BMS.
  


• 
  I-81’s Exit 3 (Interstate 381), which turns into Commonwealth Avenue, then Volunteer Parkway when it enters Bristol Tennessee, and continue to BMS. An alternate is to turn left from Volunteer Parkway onto state Route 358 (Weaver Pike) to reach Route 394 and avoid the 11E work zone.
  


• 
  I-26 from Asheville, N.C., Exit 19 to Route 381 in Johnson City to 11E.
  

PARKING

• 
  No parking is permitted on the shoulders and medians of Volunteer Parkway, Highway 11E, Exide Drive, Highway 394, White Top Road, at electrical substations, or wherever signage so indicates. Vehicles parked in no-parking zones will be towed. No camping is permitted on public street rights-of-way.
  


• 
  Handicapped parking is provided on the BMS campus for those with permits and supporting documentation. Signs will direct people using handicap permits into the checkpoint areas.
  

LEAVING BMS

Eight signed "drain" routes will carry traffic back to Interstates 26 and 81.

• 
  South on U.S. 11E to I-26, and I-81 via Exit 57.
  


• 
  South on the U.S. 11E "contraflow" from South Entrance and some westbound White Top Road areas towards I-26 and I-81 via Exit 57.
  


• 
  West on Route 394 through Blountville to I-81 Exit 66 or Exit 69.
  


• 
  North on Bethel Drive from Exide Drive to Carden Hollow Road to Route 126 to U.S. 11W and I-81 Exit 74. Available only from certain areas along Exide Drive and Volunteer Parkway.
  


• 
  North on 11E to I-81 via Exit 3.
  


• 
  East on Route 394 to U.S. 421, following the signs to I-81 Exit 5.
  


• 
  East on 394 to 421 to Route 44 and on to I-81 at Exit 17 in Abingdon.
  

LAWS

Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia, prohibit the buying, selling, trading, or exchanges of tickets or other merchandise on public road rights-of-way. In addition, Bristol Tennessee ordinances prohibit ticket scalping. State law prohibits golf carts or ATVs on public streets or rights-of-way.

BMS will operate a traffic radio network on the following radio stations:

WJCW-AM 910 – Tri-Cities

WXSM-AM 640 – Tri-Cities

WFHG-AM 980 – Bristol, Va.

WNVA-FM 106.3 – Norton, Va.

WMEV-FM 93.9 – Marion, Va.

WMVA-AM 1450 – Martinsville, Va.

Fans are encouraged to listen as they approach BMS to get up-to-the-minute information on traffic, parking and other details.