Fairfax County Police are preparing for congestion on Route 28 and surrounding areas on Tuesday, as thousands drive in to catch a glimpse of the space shuttle Discovery's flight on the back of a Boeing 747 to Dulles International Airport.

"We do expect heavy traffic on Route 28 and there may be intermittent closures that police will be on hand to assist with," said Lucy Caldwell, a public information officer for the Fairfax County Police Department.

Welcome Discovery Festival Events

Police expect that parking at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly will be filled to capacity. Traffic officers will be on hand to assist with closing and reopening.

The county will use the emergency alert system to communicate with the public when necessary. Fairfax County Police recommend that those driving who want to catch a glimpse of Discovery pull over in a spot that is safe for viewing.

"If you're commuting, just be aware that this will most likely affect traffic," said Caldwell.