SOUTH BEND, Ind. WNDU – The upcoming IU-Notre Dame College Football Playoff game is creating a lot of excitement across the country, even more than usual.
Some fans are going the extra mile to show their support.
“We had a man fly his own plane from Las Vegas just to buy bowl game merchandise and then fly back,” said Cindy Ciesiolka, a retail associate at Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore.
To prepare for the crowd, Indiana State Police are increasing patrols. Sgt. Ted Bohner says they will double their presence, with traffic being the main concern.
“Expect heavier traffic, especially on (U.S.) 31 coming from southern Indiana,” Sgt. Bohner explained. “There will be chokepoints, particularly near the construction in southern Marshall County, where an overpass is being built over the railroad tracks. Plan ahead.”
Since IU fans will likely travel north well before kickoff, Sgt. Bohner shared advice for drivers:
“Remember the ‘3 P’s’ of a Notre Dame game: patience, preparation, and parking.”
Extra police officers from across the state will join local departments to keep things safe. Sgt. Bohner also advised avoiding the area unless necessary because of the traffic.
If you’re tailgating or drinking, he urged everyone to plan a safe ride home using a designated driver or rideshare service.
Traffic will be heavy throughout the day as fans arrive for tailgating. However, the worst traffic is expected after the night game ends, around midnight, when fans leave the stadium.