GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers will play the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, September 3rd at Lambeau Field in the final game of the preseason for both teams.
According to Packers.com, this will be the ninth meeting between the Packers and Saints in the preseason, with Green Bay leading the series, 6-2. The last time the two met during the preseason was in 2004 at Lambeau Field, a 19-14 Packers victory.
Thursday night marks another Green Bay preseason tradition: the Bishop’s Charities Game. It was first played in 1961 after Vince Lombardi was approached by the Diocese of Green Bay about playing a charitable contest in Green Bay (the Shrine contest was a fixture in Milwaukee).
Following the contest vs. New Orleans, the Packers will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears on Sunday, Sept. 13. It will be the first time since 1981 that the Packers have opened the regular season at Chicago.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region Office is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Thursday that I-41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida St. north to Suamico in Brown County are under construction.
I-41, WIS 172 and I-43 could experience significant backups near the stadium, as could the I-41 interchanges at Oneida Street, WIS 172 and I-43. Barrier walls, orange barrels, and narrow lanes will affect travel. Due to the I-41 Project construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route.
WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations and check WisDOT’s 511 website (www.511wi.gov) or call 511. Additionally, motorists are advised to remain alert and plan on exercising patience as they drive through the Green Bay area.
Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packer fans will be traveling as they head for Lambeau Field and the road conditions they should anticipate.
Commuter Traffic
Due to the game being starting at 6 p.m. on a work day – Thursday night – there will be increased traffic volume from commuter traffic in addition to game day traffic that WILL affect game day travel.
I-41 and WIS 172 Interchange
Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at this interchange before the game and again following the game. Motorists should consider avoiding this interchange area and utilize alternate routes if possible.
Oneida Street and I-41/Oneida Street interchange
Oneida street between Ridge Road and Hansen Road is reduced to single lanes in each direction and drivers should expect significant delays before and after the game. Drivers are urged to consider alternate routes.
I-41
Barrier walls, narrow lanes, short merge distances and orange barrels will be present at various locations.
I-43 and I-43/I-41 interchange
WIS 441/US 10 and Roland Kampo Bridge
Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties.
WIS 32/WIS 57/County X intersection
Freeway Service Team
Two freeway service teams will be working on game day in Brown County. One team will be on I-41 from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the other will be on WIS 172 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. These teams will assist motorists - free of charge - who are involved in minor crashes or are experiencing a breakdown. If necessary, the Freeway Service Team quickly relocates disabled vehicles from the highway’s travel lanes and/or shoulders to safe, pre-designated locations away from traffic.
Services the team provides include:
Please note if you are involved in a crash:
The WisDOT’s Division of State Patrol advises you to immediately call 911 if you are involved in a crash. If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, report the other vehicle’s license plate numbers as you may then be advised to move off the main portion of the roadway to a crash investigation site or to a ramp out of traffic. This will assist first responders in reaching you while helping to clear traffic delays during the critical travel times before and following the scrimmage.
Additionally, if your vehicle becomes disabled in the I-41 work zone between De Pere and Suamico, notify authorities immediately, and WisDOT will send the Freeway Service Team vehicle to your location. Motorists can then contact their motor club or towing preference after WisDOT has relocated your vehicle to a more accessible and safe location.
Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.
Lambeau Field is prepared for Thursday evening’s game against the New Orleans Saints, the Packers’ final matchup of the preseason.
Thursday’s game is the annual Bishop’s Charities Game, the 55th year that the Packers have designated a preseason game as the Bishop’s Charities Game. To date, the series has raised more than $3.7 million for charity efforts in the Green Bay Diocese.
Continuing this tradition, Bishop Ricken of the Green Bay Diocese will greet fans at the game and present an award to the MVP from last year’s Bishop’s Charities Game, Scott Tolzien. Performing the national anthem will be Stephanie Solari, Baxter Helm and Silas Helm.
During halftime, the High School Quarterback Challenge competition on the field will feature players from Green Bay Southwest High School and De Pere High School.
Thursday’s game will continue the Packers’ recognition of USA Football Month as the Packers have invited four teams from Duck Creek Pop Warner to play each other on the field during halftime. The teams will also be on the field during the national anthem. In addition, the Packers have donated more than 3,300 tickets split between the team’s preseason home games to Heads Up Football youth programs.
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Green Bay Packers, the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the league’s other 31 teams. ‘USA Football Month,’ a national campaign that takes place throughout the NFL preseason, incorporates youth football scrimmages at NFL stadiums and shares USA Football messages during network preseason telecasts.
USA Football also developed the Heads Up Football program in order to address the complex challenges of player health and safety in youth and high school football. It also hosts player safety clinics to help coaches implement safety initiatives.
Additional details can be found online at usafootball.com.
Law enforcement officials are reminding fans to use caution while driving through construction zones on the way to and from Lambeau Field. For more information, visit the Wisconsin DOT’s website at 511wi.gov or by dialing 511.
The free Green Bay Metro gameday bus service is available again this year, with extended service to several areas of Green Bay. Fans visiting prior to gameday also are encouraged to use the free G-Line bus route, which runs each half hour between Lambeau Field and downtown Green Bay.
Further details and gameday route information is available at greenbaymetro.org/en-us/packers/default.aspx.
As in previous years, no bags or purses will be allowed inside Lambeau Field unless they are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and are no larger than 12” by 6” by 12”. Small clutches that do not exceed 4.5” by 6.5” are permitted. Stadium cushions are also not allowed, however, stadium seats and stadium pads that contain no pockets or zippers and are 18” wide or smaller are allowed.
For more information on the NFL’s safety policy, please visit nfl.com/allclear.
Fans should also be aware that beginning four hours prior to kickoff, any guest that leaves Lambeau Field after entering will not be permitted to re-enter with the same ticket. It is recommended that fans allow extra time for entry into Lambeau Field. Gates open two hours prior to kickoff.
Thursday’s game will feature magnetic game schedules as the game giveaway, compliments of Cenex.
Also at Thursday’s game is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot, open to ticketed and non-ticketed guests alike. Activities include photo opportunities, interactive games and live music.
Visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html#s3 for more information on the TTZ.
The Lambeau Field Atrium will open to ticketed guests only at 11 a.m., along with 1919 Kitchen & Tap, the Packers Pro Shop and the Packers Hall of Fame. The parking lot will open at 2 p.m., along with the TTZ. Gates will open at 4 p.m.
For more gameday information, visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.