At 5:30 pm, 9/9/16, traffic on back side of traffic HWY 394 is very heavy. At times it is bumper to bumper and barely moving.
I came through there at about 5:30. I was on my motor scooter and I rode the shoulder for a long way to my turn off. If I had been in my truck, I might still be in traffic.
I was afraid to go on the front side of the track. It is usually worse.
Expect delays.
Hopefull police will get things moving.
I live right behind the track.
Update: Saturday morning 9/10/16 @ 8:30 am. Things are quiet, traffic is moving smoothly.
Campgrounds are filling up fast.
9:25 am, Goodyear blimb over the track circling. Small plane doing the same.
Update: 10:00 am. Traffic around track is light and moving smoothly. Notice locals heading toward the track.
GoodYear blimb is not overhead. Must have been doing a trial run earlier. People are out and moving about.
For VOL fans traveling north on I81, the best roads and a straight shot to the track will be to take exit 69. You will see a big sign BMS. Turn right at the bottom of the exit. You will go through a small town named Blountville. It amounts to two red lights. You will be on 394. This will lead straight to the track. 394 runs behind the track where most of the campgrounds are.
For those arriving from 4-7 pm, I suspect the traffic will be very heavy and your patience will be tried.
Good luck and drive safe.
boo
Update: 11:00 am Saturday morning. Traffic moving slow but smoothly around track. A few fans walking toward the track. All is well.
Update: 11:55 am. Sky is overcast. Traffic moving smoothly on 394.
In a few minutes I will ride my scooter from the intersection of 394 and White Top Rd. toward interstate 81 to check traffic flow and volume.
If traffic is not too bad I may go up Volunteer Parkway in front of the track to check it out.
Riding a scooter and knowing the back roads will give me an advantage.
Will report when I get back.
Important: If you come in late in the day, consider having a full tank of gas. Don`t want to run out of gas in bumper to bumper traffic.
There is a gas station within sight of the exit 69 downramp. I think it is a BP.
boo
Update: Decided not to go toward interstate. Got a first hand report from some VOL fans that pulled up next to my house. They said the traffic from the interstate to the track was about medium but moving smoothly.
I invited those VOL fans to park in my driveway free and walk to the track. They took me up on my offer and were happy to have a safe place to park their vehicle.
boo
Go vols
Update: 4:10 pm Saturday.
Traffic from Johnson City to Bristol moving at a normal pace. Volume is picking up. Seems everyone, even locals are heading toward the track.
HWY 394, stop and go but moving.
I know from 4:00 pm on things will get hectic.
No more updates. Out.
I came through there at about 5:30. I was on my motor scooter and I rode the shoulder for a long way to my turn off. If I had been in my truck, I might still be in traffic.
I was afraid to go on the front side of the track. It is usually worse.
Expect delays.
Hopefull police will get things moving.
I live right behind the track.
Update: Saturday morning 9/10/16 @ 8:30 am. Things are quiet, traffic is moving smoothly.
Campgrounds are filling up fast.
9:25 am, Goodyear blimb over the track circling. Small plane doing the same.
Update: 10:00 am. Traffic around track is light and moving smoothly. Notice locals heading toward the track.
GoodYear blimb is not overhead. Must have been doing a trial run earlier. People are out and moving about.
For VOL fans traveling north on I81, the best roads and a straight shot to the track will be to take exit 69. You will see a big sign BMS. Turn right at the bottom of the exit. You will go through a small town named Blountville. It amounts to two red lights. You will be on 394. This will lead straight to the track. 394 runs behind the track where most of the campgrounds are.
For those arriving from 4-7 pm, I suspect the traffic will be very heavy and your patience will be tried.
Good luck and drive safe.
boo
Update: 11:00 am Saturday morning. Traffic moving slow but smoothly around track. A few fans walking toward the track. All is well.
Update: 11:55 am. Sky is overcast. Traffic moving smoothly on 394.
In a few minutes I will ride my scooter from the intersection of 394 and White Top Rd. toward interstate 81 to check traffic flow and volume.
If traffic is not too bad I may go up Volunteer Parkway in front of the track to check it out.
Riding a scooter and knowing the back roads will give me an advantage.
Will report when I get back.
Important: If you come in late in the day, consider having a full tank of gas. Don`t want to run out of gas in bumper to bumper traffic.
There is a gas station within sight of the exit 69 downramp. I think it is a BP.
boo
Update: Decided not to go toward interstate. Got a first hand report from some VOL fans that pulled up next to my house. They said the traffic from the interstate to the track was about medium but moving smoothly.
I invited those VOL fans to park in my driveway free and walk to the track. They took me up on my offer and were happy to have a safe place to park their vehicle.
boo
Go vols
Update: 4:10 pm Saturday.
Traffic from Johnson City to Bristol moving at a normal pace. Volume is picking up. Seems everyone, even locals are heading toward the track.
HWY 394, stop and go but moving.
I know from 4:00 pm on things will get hectic.
No more updates. Out.
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