SOUTH BEND – They're expecting 125,000 people on campus for the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game this weekend.
And many of those fans will drive here. Traffic is expected be a mess.
Game day festivities start Friday night, so let’s start there.
Eddy Street Commons will be closed Friday night from 7-10 p.m. for a block party.
On Saturday morning, police will direct all inbound traffic on Napoleon or Howard Street.
Cars will trickle in Saturday morning. Because of the 7 p.m. game start, fans have more time to get to campus.
The only road that will be shut down and closed off is a block of Twyckenham that connects Edison to South Bend Avenue.
But road restrictions will be enforced through the day.
At 3 p.m. until game time, traffic will be one way inbound only on Douglas and Angela.
For 2 hours after the game, it's one way outbound traffic only.
"At the end of the night, traffic is very heavy. Outbound traffic is longer. Bring your patience, police are on every corner," said Phil Johnson, Director of Notre Dame Security Police.
Police will favor traffic moving out of town after the game. Keep that in mind before you drive on 933, Douglas or Angela Saturday night.
"Our number one priority is public safety," Johnson said.
That’s why Notre Dame police and game day operations focus so much energy on traffic control. They say it paid off last year.
"The game went so well last year we are looking forward to doing it again this year," said Mike Seamon, director of game day operations.
Football fan or not, getting around South Bend on Saturday could be a headache, so choose your commute wisely.
"Given the beginning of the season, our opponent is a local opponent. We'll probably have 125,000 people, so if that isn't your thing, we suggest to stay away from campus," Seamon said.
If you want to avoid areas around campus, police say use LaSalle, Colfax or Edison for easier access through the city.
Or get your errands done during the game. The city is a ghost town during those hours.
Parking lots on campus, also known as the tailgate lots, open at 8 a.m., so there's a potential for heavy traffic all day long.
