ATLANTA — Tonight is the night, Atlanta!
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are due to battle it out on the debate stage Thursday at CNN's Midtown studio. Here's everything to know about the debate, traffic impacts and more.
When is the presidential debate?
The debate, according to CNN, will occur on Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET.
Where to watch
11Alive will have a live stream of the debate on Thursday that can be seen here on our website and our YouTube channel. People can also watch the debate on CNN.
Presidential debate rules
CNN released a list of rules on June 20 that both candidates must follow during the 90-minute debate.
- The debate will include two commercial breaks.
- Microphones will be muted except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.
- Candidates will not be allowed to bring any written notes to the debate; they will be provided with only pen and paper.
- Interaction with campaign staff during breaks will be prohibited
Traffic impacts to know for the presidential debate
Traffic is a daily occurrence in Atlanta, but Thursday's hectic schedule could bring people's annoyance level from five to nine.
Along with the debate and the rolling roadblocks that come with presidential arrivals, Copa America will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and Georgia Tech will be hosting the Atlanta Swim Association Championship Meet from June 26 to 28.
Avoiding traffic:
11Alive's Traffic Expert, Crash Clark, said planning will be key to keeping out of traffic on Thursday.
"It’s going to be a nightmare, both sides of the connector, especially once they start shutting it down and staging Georgia State Patrol," Clark said.
To avoid this, Crash said to avoid Interstate 75 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., given Biden's arrival at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base. Trump arrives at 5:30 p.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, meaning drivers should also be clear of that area from then to 6:30 p.m.
"You actually have to time yourself in and around all this traffic," Crash said.
More specifically, Biden is set to arrive around 3 p.m. at the Marietta Reserve Base, which means drivers can expect a rolling roadblock down I-75: Georgia State Patrol will completely shut down South Loop, Delk Road, Windy Hill, and others.
"Expect major delays along I-75. Highway 41 is going to be your alternate route, but even Highway 41 near Dobbins shut down," Crash said.
Regarding Trump, the closures are expected to make their way up the connector.
"Shutting down everything," Clark said. "Every entrance, every exit."
Copa America traffic details
The Copa America tournament will be held not far from the presidential debate. MARTA said to use its rail and bus services to avoid the traffic.
Doors open at 4 p.m., and the game starts at 6 p.m.
"Folks that are on their way to the Copa America, you’re the ones that have to make your plan," said Clark. "That plan is definitely going to be MARTA."
The transportation service said there would be increased rail service, plus peak traffic times would also be peak service times.
"You're going to have more trains coming, so it'll be easier for customers to take it to the match," said Payson Schwin with MARTA.
Schwin suggested people download the MARTA on the go app to check train schedules.