Charlotte airport warns of heavy traffic during Rev. Graham's viewing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials are warning travelers that they will need to give themselves extra time to get to the airport this week because of the events surrounding the Rev. Billy Graham’s visitation and funeral.

[SPECIAL SECTION: The Rev. Billy Graham]

The Billy Graham Library is 4 miles away from the airport.

Hundreds of mourners will gather at the Billy Graham Library on Monday and Tuesday to pass by the evangelical leader’s casket and pay their final respects.

Guests are asked to park and take a shuttle from two off-site locations. Parking and the shuttle are free.

Buses will shuttle guests to and from the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center, located at 7100 Forest Point Blvd. and Charlotte Business Valet, Lot 2, located at 5613 Wilkinson Blvd.

[Hundreds of mourners arrive as public pays respects to Rev. Graham]

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials also said Billy Graham Parkway will be closed in both directions between South Tryon Street and Tyvola Road just after midnight Friday until the funeral ends Friday afternoon.

Drivers heading to Charlotte Douglas International Airport should use these alternate routes:

• From I-77 south of Charlotte, take the I-485 Inner Loop (Exit 1) to Wilkinson Boulevard (Exit 9), continuing east to Josh Birmingham Parkway; or
• From I-85, take Little Rock Road (Exit 32), continuing south to Josh Birmingham Parkway.

The NCDOT will have portable message boards to alert drivers of the closures and detours.

Cox Media Group