Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Airport; Chart Or Publication
CAE was experiencing fog with RVR's around 1200 when we called for initial taxi from the gate. ATC said to taxi to Runway 11 and to pull over to the right side to await our wheels-up time. ATC also wanted us to notify them when we were holding short of Runway 11. We complied by taxiing to Runway 11 and pulling into the right side of what appeared to be a holding pad. In an effort to be as accurate as possible about our holding position; I looked at my chart page and told ATC that we were holding short of Runway 11 on Taxiway A1. ATC acknowledged. Only later did I realize that Taxiway A1 was NOTAMed closed. However; there was no visual indication that the associated pavement was unserviceable. Also; that was the only pavement that we could have used to comply with our initial taxi clearance. We subsequently noticed that the signage for Taxiway A1 at Runway 11 was purposely obscured. And the grassy area depicted on the commercial airport diagram does not exist. The entire A1/A2 area is paved with no island in-between. I believe that we put our aircraft on the pavement that ATC intended. However; I don't understand why that pavement was NOTAMed closed. Also; the airport diagram could better depict the Taxiway A1/A2 area by removing the island/grass feature because it does not exist.
CRJ-200 First Officer reports taxiing to Runway 11 at Taxiway A1 and learning later that Taxiway A1 was closed by NOTAM. It is also noted that Taxiways A1 and A2 appear to be separated by turf or dirt which does not actually exist.