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Traffic, parking and other guidelines for the U. of I. football season
Jeff Unger, 217-333-1085
8/31/2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. —
Traffic and other guidelines for the upcoming University of Illinois
football season:
Kirby Avenue will be closed between First Street and Fourth Street in
Champaign at 6 a.m. on game days. Peabody Drive between First and Fourth
streets in Champaign also will be closed at that time. Both streets
will remain closed until about one hour after the games ends.
First Street between Gregory Drive and Kirby Avenue in Champaign will
become one way southbound 90 minutes prior to each game. Only vehicles
with parking passes will be allowed to enter that part of the street.
The same part will be converted to one way northbound for about an hour
after each game.
Stadium Drive between Oak and First streets in Champaign will be one
way eastbound 90 minutes before each game. Only vehicles with parking
passes will be allowed to enter. The same portion of Stadium Drive will
be one way westbound following the game.
The principal routes to the parking areas for purchase of tickets on
game days:
For fans approaching from the east: Exit Interstate 74 at Lincoln Avenue
and proceed south on Lincoln Avenue to Florida Avenue or Saint Mary’s
Road, then go west to the parking-lot entrances.
For fans approaching from the south: Exit I-57 at Monticello Road, proceed
east on Monticello Road to Route 45, then north on Route 45 to Windsor
Road. Take Windsor Road east one block and then go north on First Street
to the parking-lot entrances.
For fans approaching from the west on I-72: Exit onto University Avenue,
then turn south on Mattis Avenue and take Windsor Road east to First
Street or Lincoln Avenue. Continue north on First Street or Lincoln
Avenue to the parking areas.
Fans approaching from the northwest on I-74 have two alternatives:
• Exit south on I-57 to the University Avenue exit, then turn
south on Mattis Avenue and take Windsor Road east to First Street or
Lincoln Avenue. Continue north on First Street or Lincoln Avenue to
the parking areas.
• Remain on I-74 and exit south on Lincoln Avenue and proceed
south on Lincoln to Florida Avenue or Saint Mary’s Road, then
go west to the parking-lot entrances. Lincoln between Nevada Street
and Pennsylvania Avenue recently was converted from four lanes to three.
One lane is northbound, one southbound, and one is for turns. Expect
delays.
For fans approaching from the north on I-57: Exit at University Avenue,
then turn south on Mattis Avenue and take Windsor Road east to First
Street or Lincoln Avenue. Continue north on First Street or Lincoln
to the parking areas.
Game-day traffic reports are given on WDWS-AM (1400) and WHMS-FM (97.5).
Traffic reports begin three hours prior to kickoff and are updated every
30 minutes.
There are two parking areas for game-day ticket purchases. The east
area is between Wright Street extended and Lincoln Avenue – south
of Florida Avenue. The east area is best reached by Lincoln Avenue.
The west area is between Neil Street and First Street – south
of Saint Mary’s Road. This area is best reached by Windsor Road
to First Street from the south.
Parking lots surrounding Memorial Stadium and the Assembly Hall are
reserved for parking-pass holders; fans seeking parking so that they
can buy game-day tickets should avoid congested streets close to the
stadium.
Parking for people with disabilities will be located in each of the
four quads at the Assembly Hall.
Fans are encouraged to plan to arrive in the stadium area 90 minutes
prior to kickoff to ensure that they have time to park, walk to the
stadium, and pass through entry screening before the game starts.
Fans should enter the stadium on the side on which their seats are located,
and expect potential delays at the gates during the final 30 minutes
before the game is scheduled to start.
Items prohibited inside Memorial Stadium:
Alcoholic beverages
Backpacks and bags
Banners and signs
Cameras with large lenses
Coolers and containers
Fireworks
Glass bottles and cans
Large radios or cameras
Noisemakers
Strollers
Tripods
Umbrellas
Video Cameras
Weapons of any kind
Diaper bags, small purses and fanny packs are allowed in the stadium
but are subject to search by university personnel. Food items in clear
plastic bags and sealed plastic bottles of water (20 ounces or smaller)
also may be carried into the stadium.
