A messy Thursday expected at Duke

Thursday is going to be messy at Duke.

At Duke Chapel, the university is hosting a celebration of the life of John Hope Franklin, the  civil rights pioneer and scholar, and his wife Aurelia Whittington Franklin.

That's at 11 a.m. and is expected to be a well-attended event, what with former President Bill Clinton heading the list of notables planning to attend.

Across campus, there will be three public high school graduations throughout the day at Cameron Indoor Stadium, adding to what will surely be a big old traffic congestion nightmare.

Hillside high holds graduation at 8 a.m. Northern high is at noon, and Durham School of the Arts is at 4 p.m.

Duke officials say heavy traffic is expected and parking on campus will be limited. Visitors are urged to use Duke's bus system.
Parking for the high school graduations will be available in the Blue Zone parking lot on Duke University Road and the Whitford Lot on Whitford Drive. Participants, guests and Blue Zone permit holders can enter the lot at the Iron Gate on Duke University Road. The Whitford Drive lot will be open for Duke permit holders, special guests and handicapped parking.

Folks attending the John Hope Franklin celebration at Duke Chapel should park either in the Bryan Center parking garage or in lots along Duke University Road near Chapel Drive, where shuttles will bring them to campus.

Or, you may just want to walk from wherever you're coming from. It may be quicker.