When Badgers face LSU at Lambeau Field, there will be a lot of purple and yellow in the stands
GREEN BAY -- The Wisconsin Badgers kick off their season against LSU on Saturday, September 3rd at Lambeau Field -- but you can expect to see a lot of purple and yellow in the stands.
Many parking lots around Lambeau have been booked. Representatives from one business said an LSU alumni group booked its entire lot in early July -- and officials at nearby Ticket King said there's been huge demand.
"Usually, we never pre-sell the whole thing. This is the first time. We've never even done that with the Packers, honestly. It kind of shows you the fans (LSU) has," Travis Loftus with Ticket King said.
This will be the first time Wisconsin has ever played at Lambeau -- but this won't be the first college football game to be played there.
St. Norbert College -- a Division III team in De Pere has hosted three games at the historic stadium.
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation have issued a travel advisory ahead of Saturday's game:
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is alerting motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Saturday, Sept. 3, for the University of Wisconsin – Louisiana State University college football game that I-41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida Street north to Lineville Road in Brown County are under construction. Significant delays are expected near the stadium. Potential traffic trouble spots near Madison, Milwaukee County and in Northeast Wisconsin are listed below.
The Saturday, Sept. 3, football game will create increased traffic impacts on traffic operations Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as Badger and LSU fans travel to Northeast Wisconsin, and holiday and commuter traffic hit the road for the long weekend. Both college teams’ fan bases travel exceptionally well to away games, and traffic is expected to exceed that of a Green Bay Packer football game. WisDOT also expects a very large number of RVs and motor homes traveling in and around Green Bay for the game. Local residents not attending the game are urged to use local/alternate routes on gameday.
WisDOT encourages those traveling to the game to pre-plan their trip. People using motor homes are urged to reserve a parking spot in advance. Parking is limited at the stadium, as much of the stadium parking lot will be used to accommodate pregame events. Increased RVs and motor vehicles could significantly slow traffic on local streets around the stadium, and on state highways and interstates in Brown County. Other tips include using alternate routes (including east side interchanges), adjusting your leave to ensure you reach the destination on time, and following the traveler information on the message boards.
Near Lambeau Field
I-41, WIS 172 and I-43 could experience significant backups near the stadium on gameday, 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. The heaviest congestion is expected four hours before and after the game, and Friday evening. Friday evening work commuters should strongly consider using alternate routes off the state highway system.
Below is a list of the major highways in northeast Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Madison most Badger fans and LSU fans will be traveling as they head for Lambeau Field, and the road conditions they should anticipate. Note: Holiday work restrictions will be in place, but traffic control devices will still be present.
I-41 mainline
Barrier wall, narrow lanes, short merge distances and orange barrels will be present at various locations.
WIS 172 and I-41/WIS 172 Interchange
Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at the I-41/WIS 172 interchange and on WIS 172 in Brown County from I-43 to the WIS 172/I-41 interchange before and after the game. Motorists should consider alternate routes if possible.
I-43/I-41 interchange
I-41/Velp Avenue interchange
WIS 441, US 10 and Roland Kampo Bridge
US 141, Marinette County
The majority of LSU fans and downstate Badger fans heading to the game will travel via Dane County and/or Milwaukee County. Most fans will use either I-43 through Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Brown counties, or I-41 through Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie and Brown counties, when traveling through northeast Wisconsin to Lambeau Field. Here are some potential trouble spots further away from Lambeau Field.
Milwaukee County – Zoo Interchange lane closure
Dane and Rock counties - I-39 and I-90
Freeway Service Team
The I-41 Project Freeway Service Teams will be working in Brown County on gameday, Saturday, Sept. 3, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Freeway Service Team 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 game.
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 511 Wisconsin online at www.511wi.gov or by calling 511.