Parking is at a premium due to construction of the new University of Oregon baseball stadium, and police enforcement will be escalated for the holiday weekend. Here are some tips for getting to and from the Ducks game in one piece and with a minimum of hassle.

This is an advisory courtesy of ODOT

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Springfield Police Department will close the eastbound Highway 126 (Interstate 105 East) exit ramp to Pioneer Parkway at the conclusion of the University of Oregon football game on Saturday night.

This is a press release courtesy of the Eugene Police Department

The first University of Oregon home football game of the season is coming up Saturday, and Eugene Police would like everyone’s game day commute to go as smoothly as possible.  By following these suggestions fans can shorten their commute time, ease congestion around Autzen Stadium, and reduce the risk of traffic crashes.

Ride the Bus – Lane Transit District offers several convenient park and ride locations throughout Eugene/Springfield at an affordable price.  LTD buses are given priority into and out of the area of Autzen Stadium on game days, which greatly minimizes travel time for fans.

Have a Plan – Fans coming to the game should pre-plan their travel routes and where they will park once they arrive.  Normal traffic patterns around Autzen Stadium are dramatically changed on game days, limiting the ability to drive freely through the area.

Obey the Law – It’s vital that fans observe basic traffic laws when commuting to and from the game. The traffic cone patterns around the area of Autzen Stadium on game days are considered traffic control devices and cannot be arbitrarily disregarded.  Failure to obey these cone patterns, or the officers who are directing traffic, may lead to a $237 citation. 

Be Patient – On game days, approximately 60,000 people come to the area near Autzen Stadium.  Trying to get that many people into and out of the area is a huge undertaking and takes time.  By allowing plenty of travel time and expecting some delays you will improve your overall game day experience.

Don’t Drink and Drive! – Local law enforcement agencies want football fans to enjoy themselves but to do so responsibly.  By not drinking excessively and designating sober drivers, fans can help prevent tragedies from occurring.  For those who decide to ignore these simple tips, the Eugene Police Department will have extra officers conducting DUII saturation patrols in the area around Autzen Stadium on game days.  The Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police will be conducting similar patrols on county highways and on Interstate 5.