City officials give travel tips for Nebraska football’s game against Northern Illinois

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska football is returning to Memorial Stadium to face Northern Illinois on Saturday.

In a press release Tuesday, the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department provided several travel tips for Husker fans going to the 6 p.m. game.

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To avoid traffic, visitors coming into Lincoln are asked to arrive early and use the following routes:

• I-80/Highway 77 (from west) – Take exit 397, follow Highway 77 south, take the Rosa Parks Way exit east and follow South 10th Street into downtown
• Highway 77 (from south) – Take the Rosa Parks Way exit east and follow South 10th Street into downtown
• I-80/Cornhusker Highway (from east) – Take exit 409, follow Cornhusker Highway and turn south on State Fair Park Drive and continue west on Salt Creek Roadway
• I-80/I-180 – Take exit 401a, merge onto I-180 south, then merge onto Ninth Street. Expect delays using this route.
• Lincoln residents traveling downtown from the north should follow Antelope Valley Parkway to Salt Creek Roadway. Drivers from the south should follow Normal Boulevard/Capitol Parkway to N Street downtown or use South 10th Street to downtown.

City officials said people can visit lincoln.ne.gov/closures to avoid traffic and parking challenges.

Husker fans can reserve parking spots by going to parkandgo.org.

Additional traffic tips from the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department:

• Those using I-80 who plan to park in the Haymarket Parking Garages will experience less congestion if they enter Lincoln using the airport exit 399. Travelers should then follow Cornhusker Highway, travel south on North Antelope Valley Parkway, and travel west on Salt Creek Roadway.
• Those using I-80 who plan to park in the Haymarket Park lots will experience less congestion if they enter Lincoln using the airport exit 399. Travelers should then follow Cornhusker Highway, travel south on North First Street, continue on Charleston Street, travel south onto Sun Valley Boulevard and turn east onto Line Drive into Haymarket Park.
• Stadium Drive west of the stadium will be closed to all vehicles. Passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after the game.
• Uber, Lyft and taxi drop-off and pickup will be located at the bus stop in front of Henzlik Hall, 1430 Vine St.
• Charter buses will park on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.

StarTran is providing its Big Red Express service on game days starting two hours before kickoff from the following locations:

• Gateway Mall, 61st and O streets, parking area on the north side between Dillard’s and JCPenney
• SouthPointe Pavilions, 27th and Pine Lake Road, south of Von Maur
• North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St., take I-80 exit 403, follow North 27th Street south and turn left onto Folkways Boulevard.
• Northwest High School, 4901 West Holdrege Street, take I-80 exit 395, follow Northwest 48th Street north and turn left onto West Holdrege Street.

More information on the StarTran routes can be found on the city’s website.