Trump visit to close roads, cause ‘significant’ traffic delays, NC police say
President Donald Trump’s visit to Gastonia Wednesday will close roads, prompt detours and likely cause “significant” backups near the city’s airport, police said this week.
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“If you do not need to travel in this area Wednesday afternoon or evening, the best option is to avoid the area altogether and use an alternate route,” police said on social media.
Trump is scheduled to appear at 7 p.m. at Gastonia Municipal Airport, 1126 Gaston Day School Road.
“Soft” road closures are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., police said. That means only local traffic will be allowed “during the security operation,” police said.
“Do not use neighborhood streets as alternate routes,” police said. “Access may be restricted, and you could be turned around.”
Expect detours, also beginning around 10 a.m., on and near Union Road, Gaston Day School Road, Robinson Road and Bud Wilson Road, according to police.
“The area around Union Road and Gaston School Road will be particularly affected,” police said.
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Road shutdowns are scheduled for around 5:30 p.m., police said, and closures will continue “through the evening as needed.”
If you’re attending the event, don’t park in neighborhoods, “as you will likely be towed,” police said.
“Please allow extra time, follow posted detours and directions from officers, and be patient as we work to keep everyone safe,” police said
It’s unclear how any traffic delays might extend into Charlotte. A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport referred questions from The Charlotte Observer about traffic information around the airport Wednesday to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. The department’s public information office didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
Trump visited Gastonia’s airport in 2024, as he was campaigning for re-election. This time he’s stumping for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley in Whatley’s hometown.
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Gastonia Municipal Airport is about a 25-mile drive west from Charlotte.
