AMES, Iowa - This Saturday in Ames, it's all about pigskin - and patience - during the state's biggest game of the year.
When the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes renew their intrastate football rivalry for the 59th time this Saturday at 11 a.m., 75,000 fans will be in and around Jack Trice Stadium to cheer them on. And that's a lot of people, cars and congestion in an area covering less than a square mile.
As always, Iowa State University officials encourage fans to allow extra travel time, to arrive early, and to consider alternate routes to avoid frustration.
Allow extra time
How much is enough? Think hours, not minutes, before you need to be here, says ISU Police Chief Jerry Stewart.
"People who hope to arrive between 10 and 11 a.m. will experience heavy traffic and risk missing kickoff," Stewart said. "Significant road construction in various parts of the state, including Highway 30, also adds travel time. In addition, we have some fans parking in new (unfamiliar) lots this year, and other visitors who don't know the lay of the land. Extra time and tolerance will help everyone to have a much more enjoyable experience."
Arrive early, respect neighbors
Public and donor (Cyclone Club) parking lots open at 5 a.m. Saturday. Jack Trice Stadium gates open at 9:30 a.m. Avoid bringing bags and large purses; you'll get into the game much more quickly carrying nothing but a ticket.
Public parking near the stadium is limited. Prices are $40 for RVs and buses, $20 for cars and $5 for motorcycles. Medical accessible parking is located in Lot S2.
The Iowa State Athletics Department asks football fans who park in the streets and neighborhoods surrounding the stadium to be considerate of homeowners. Fans are expected to park legally and obey all City of Ames parking regulations. Trash should not be left behind, and guests should be sensitive to noise levels.
Play it safe
Pedestrians headed to and from the stadium are urged to use sidewalks and to stay out of roadways.
Consider alternate routes
Road construction continues on U.S. 30 from 230th Street in Boone County to just east of University Boulevard in Ames. Traffic has shifted onto the new U.S. 30 eastbound lanes at the west end of the project, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
One lane in each direction will be maintained in the eastbound lanes.
Interstate 35 southbound
Take Exit 113
for 13th Street toward USDA Veterinary Labs. Turn right onto
13th Street. Continue to follow 13th Street. Turn left onto
Grand Avenue. Turn right on South Fourth Street. Continue on
South Fourth Street to Jack Trice Stadium.
Interstate 35 northbound
Take Exit 111 A
to merge onto US 30 West. Take Exit 148 for US 69/Duff Avenue.
Turn right onto US-69 N/South Duff Avenue. Turn left onto South
Third Street. Continue on South Third Street to Jack Trice
Stadium.
Highway 30 eastbound
Take Exit 146 for
University Boulevard toward Iowa State University. Turn left
onto University Boulevard.
Highway 30 westbound
Take Exit 142 toward
Lincoln Way/Napier. Merge onto IA-930 E/Lincoln Highway.
Continue to follow Lincoln Highway. Turn right onto Beach
Avenue or University Boulevard.
The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.
Please don't smoke
No smoking is allowed on the Iowa State University campus, including areas in and around Jack Trice Stadium.
Need help? Call the customer service hotline
ISU Athletics operates a customer service hotline - 515-296-7849 - from the time the stadium gates open until 30 minutes after the game. If there is a problem in any seating area, a member of the event staff will provide assistance.
Be a courteous tailgater
Limit your tailgating to one parking space, and don't block the path for other vehicles to park. No glass bottles, kegs or open fires are allowed in parking lots. Please remember to clean up your area before you leave.
These items are NOT allowed in Jack Trice Stadium:
- Alcohol
- Artificial noisemakers
- Backpacks, fanny packs and large purses
- Beach balls
- Chair backs or stadium seats (cushions are allowed)
- Coolers or containers
- Food and beverages
- Pets (with the exception of service animals)
- Professional-grade cameras or video cameras
- Strollers
- Umbrellas
- Weapons
Watch and listen
FOX Sports Network will carry the Iowa State vs. Iowa game in
the following markets:
FOX SPORTS ARIZONA
FOX SPORTS DETROIT
FOX SPORTS FLORIDA
FOX SPORTS HOUSTON
FOX SPORTS MIDWEST
FOX SPORTS NORTH
FOX SPORTS OHIO
FOX SPORTS SOUTHWEST
FOX SPORTS WEST
FOX SPORTS WISCONSIN
SPORTSOUTH
COMCAST BAY AREA
COMCAST CHICAGO (PLUS)
COMCAST MID ATLANTIC
COMCAST NEW ENGLAND
COMCAST PHILADELPHIA
MSG PLUS Saturday
ROOT SPORTS
ROOT SPORTS (Rocky Mountain Region)
COMCAST (Chicago) Channel 100 and 285 (HD)
MEDIACOM CONNECTIONS (Eastern Iowa)
Audio coverage is available on the Cyclone Radio Network and at cyclones.com via Clone Zone .
