Heavy Traffic Expected for Nov. 20 Duke-UNC Football Game

On Nov. 20, a nationally televised football game featuring Duke and University of North Carolina will impact traffic and parking in and around Duke’s campus.

More than 30,000 fans are expected to flock to Wallace Wade Stadium to attend the game as a similar number of Duke employees leave work, creating the potential for significant traffic congestion and logistical challenges for regular weekday operations.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and parking lots for game traffic will open to the public starting at 5:30 p.m. Traffic congestion around campus could start in the late afternoon. ESPN will broadcast the game.

“While we want to keep disruption to a minimum, we also want to acknowledge and prepare for the unique circumstances of this nationally televised event and the logistical challenges it will bring,” said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration.

Managers are encouraged to be as flexible as possible to allow employees who are not attending the game to depart early or work from home where feasible to reduce congestion on roads. Health care providers working second shift at Duke Medical Center may need to plan extra travel time to ensure on-time arrival at work.

Parking and Transportation Services is making arrangements to relocate some vehicles from the Blue Zone parking lot to other campus lots on Nov. 20 and will provide shuttle service to remote lots.

Duke is also coordinating with UNC to provide shuttle service between remote lots to reduce the demand on parking and reduce traffic congestion. Still, parking in the core of Duke’s campus will be highly constrained.

To help spread the word of the unique challenges this event will bring, faculty and staff are encouraged to share this flier with colleagues.

Check back to Duke Today each week and on game day for more information about the Duke-UNC game and its impacts on traffic.