Thousands of people are expected to travel to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport this weekend to view the air show hosted annually at the Unity site.
That means motorists should expect traffic to be heavier than usual on routes 30 and 981 in the vicinity of the airport.
Traffic tends to be heaviest around the time the gates open — 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday — and when the show ends —at 5 p.m. both days, according to Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority. The board operates the airport and plans the Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland International Airshow.
The authority meets with state police to coordinate plans for controlling traffic, he said.
State Trooper Steve Limani urged those who aren’t headed to the air show to avoid the area, if possible.
“Expect delays and give extra time for travel if you drive through that area.” Limani said, noting, “Many drivers get distracted looking up at the airplanes.
“We will be out helping with traffic control and backlogs.”
Two lanes of vehicles will enter the show along Route 981, opposite the former Big Lots store, and then will queue and park inside the airport grounds.
“There might be a little bit of a (traffic) backup before the gates open, but after that we should be in good shape,” Monzo said.
Last year, when the air show was held on Aug. 17 and 18, it attracted about 30,000 spectators each day, he said.