8 tips for hitting (or avoiding) college football playoff traffic

Notre Dame takes the field before an NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend.

SOUTH BEND — The College Football Playoff interstate rivalry game, Notre Dame vs. Indiana University, is sure to draw crowds of alumni and fans nationwide, prompting local law enforcement to plan accordingly.

The Dec. 20 game, already sold out and kicking off at 8 p.m., is expected to create a busy and crowded South Bend for both fans and locals. Local law enforcement, consisting of the South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department and Notre Dame Police Department, held a press conference to discuss weather, traffic and roads to avoid.

Traffic patterns

Motorists are urged to plan ahead before traveling on Friday and to exercise caution and patience on the roads. Incoming traffic patterns apply from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m

According to Lt. According to Brad Rohrscheib of the South Bend Police Department, streets near campus will be converted to one-way streets during these two and a half hours, moving only in one direction away from campus.

More: ND games impact South Bend economyThe College Football Playoff game will bring a big holiday bonus to the South Bend hotel industry

Snow is expected on Friday

Maximum temperatures of 33 degrees are expected for match day.

“This is not your average Saturday tailgate in South Bend,” meteorologist Matt Engelbrecht of WNDU-TV said Thursday. “…Going back to 1980…this will be the third or fourth coldest kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium.”

Engelbrecht forecast five centimeters of snow Thursday night, with light snow expected by midday Friday. Snow or icy conditions could affect traffic, he said.

All major roads near campus will be prepared for possible snowfall on Friday, Rohrscheib said.

Avoid Douglas Road

Sergeant. Aris Lee of the St. Joseph County Police Department suggested that people try to get off work early on Friday to avoid roads that are restricted to one lane on game day.

Douglas Road will be restricted to one-way traffic leading east from the Notre Dame campus to Ironwood Road, Lee said. Those doing their holiday shopping at University Park Mall are asked to travel on Cleveland Road instead of Douglas Road to avoid a detour.

For those traveling from Chicago or Ohio, Lee recommends merging onto the Toll Road at the intersection of Capital Avenue and Beacon Parkway.

Dressing for game day

Since a chilly wind is expected on Friday in the teens, it’s a good idea to dress in several layers.

“If you need to put on layers to tailgate or enjoy whatever happens tomorrow, then do it,” Engelbrecht said. “…A wind chill in the teens will take its toll after a few hours.”

The university’s clear bag policy remains in effect for the game. Medical bags are exempt from the clear bag policy but require additional inspection.

Tailgating rules

Tailgating is not permitted during the game. Limited parking spaces on campus will be open from 8 a.m. until kickoff, but campus security will close parking spaces afterward, said Keri Kei Shibata, associate vice president for campus safety and police chief at the University of Notre Dame. Parking lots will be open for three hours after the game, with the exception of Burke Golf Course, which will only be open for two hours after the game, she said.

For safety reasons, items with an open flame – propane or charcoal – are prohibited. If wind conditions become too strong, stragglers could also be asked to take down their tents, Shibata said.

Park

On-campus parking is open from 8 a.m. Fans are asked to arrive early for parking. Lots that only accept credit cards will be available for parking early Friday, Shibata said. Holy Cross College and Saint Mary’s College also offer parking, she said.

Rohrscheib asked people with a prepaid parking permit to have it ready so they can show officers the way.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

8 tips for hitting (or avoiding) college football playoff traffic

Traffic patterns

Leave a Reply Cancel reply