Traffic advice if you’re headed to IU football games
BLOOMINGTON -- Fred Glass’ advice for his friends is the same he would give any IU fan asking about potential traffic problems on State Road 37 on football game days:
Leave early, and consider alternate routes.
Road construction related to the I-69 expansion project down SR 37 — the most direct artery from Indianapolis to Bloomington — has caused significant lane closures south of Martinsville, with much of the highway narrowed to one lane.
Glass, IU’s director of athletics, said his department has been working with the Indiana Department of Transportation through the summer to alleviate traffic concerns for fans driving to Bloomington for football games.
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“We’ve appreciated the way we’ve been able to work with INDOT,” Glass said.
INDOT has agreed to leave green lights on SR 37 open longer on football Saturdays, and to lessen lane restrictions as much as possible, although Glass said they won’t be fully eliminated.
Glass also encourages fans to consider alternate routes from Indianapolis. IU Athletics staff drove three separate recommended alternate routes, mapping them out for time. They include:
>> State Road 67 south to Spencer, then State Road 46 east into Bloomington.
>> I-65 South to Columbus, then State Road 46 west into Bloomington.
>> I-70 west to U.S. Route 231, then south on 231 to Spencer, then State Road 46 East into Bloomington.
According to IU’s calculations, the first two routes listed above take 80 minutes, compared to the hour or so it takes to drive down SR 37. IU estimates the third route at an hour and 45 minutes.
INDOT and IU have also identified traffic lights that can be kept green longer on game days on all three routes, to ensure steadier traffic flow.
“We’ve tried these routes, and I do suggest that they’re not that much longer. On a good day, they’re probably only 15 minutes longer than 37,” Glass said. “You’re not going to get stuck and be sitting there for longer than that, potentially, on 37.”
Lastly, IU is building a text alert system IU fans can opt into by texting “IUFB” to 313131.
“For live up-to-date traffic information on game day, fans can follow @OurIndiana on Twitter or opt in to the text alert system,” according to a press release.
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Glass said IU is also planning small tweaks to in-town traffic management.
IU has moved its game-day personnel parking spots away from the stadium, freeing up more spots for fans. The department and local law enforcement have worked to ensure officers directing traffic will work the same intersections all season, to build greater consistency and familiarity. And they’re encouraging fans to prepay parking and find their lots beforehand, to avoid lines building up at parking lot entrances.
IU also plans to leave its lots open later, to encourage fans to stay longer and alleviate some postgame traffic congestion.
“By doing some of those blocking and tackling issues better, we can improve some of the traffic,” Glass said.
Ultimately, Glass said he knows traffic coming down from Indianapolis will cause some headaches. And construction, which is likely to continue through most or all of the season, is not a temporary concern.
He said he encourages fans to use alternate routes when possible, to sign up for the text alert service and to take advantage of the late kickoff times in IU’s non-conference season to arrive early, and beat the rush.
“Leave early is the best medicine. Come and tailgate, go to some bars, go to some restaurants,” Glass said. “The best way to beat the frustration is just get there before everybody else does.”
Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.
