Here's how to get to Memorial Stadium like a pro on Husker gameday (2024)

ZACH HAMMACKLincoln Journal Star

Lincoln traffic may not exactly resemble L.A.'s.

Husker fans can experience that if they travel to Tinseltown to see the Huskers play USC in November.

But for those sticking closer to home, getting around on a fall Saturday in the Capital City can still be a challenge.

That's why it's good to come ready with a plan for getting to the game this football season, which kicks off with the Huskers' season opener against UTEP on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

It's always important to note street projects that will lead to lane closures throughout the season:

* North Ninth Street between S and R streets, North 10th Street from Q to R streets and Q Street between North 11th and 10th streets will have lane closures.

* North First Street from Cornhusker Highway to Charleston Street will have a southbound lane closure. Northbound traffic will be in a head-to-head configuration.

* Sun Valley Boulevard from Line Drive to Westgate Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in both directions, controlled by a traffic signal, for the first half of the season.

Additionally construction projects around Memorial Stadium may close some sidewalks. Pedestrians are asked to walk in designated areas only.

If you use public transportation to get to campus, you'll also want to be sure you know where Big Red Express buses are staging.

Getting there

Delays can be expected if you want to try to park close to Memorial Stadium.

Traffic will snarl, and you’ll likely creep along at some point, especially if you rely on heavily traveled Interstate 180. But the city does have some advice on alternate routes to reach downtown.

From the east:Exit at Waverly and follow Cornhusker Highway to State Fair Drive and eventually Salt Creek Roadway.

From the west:Exit at U.S. 77 South to Rosa Parks Way.

Gameday parking for all lots directly surrounding Memorial Stadium is reserved for Athletic Department donors.

If your plan is to hit the Haymarket and its parking garages, you won't be able to drive straight in on P, Q and R streets. Those streets will be closed west of Ninth Street.

Instead, aim to reach the garages on Arena Drive by navigating N Street to the south or Salt Creek Roadway on the north.

If you are parking at Haymarket Park, officials suggest getting there by using Cornhusker Highway, North First Street, Charleston Street and Sun Valley Boulevard.

* Two hours before kickoff, southbound Ninth Street will be closed starting at the roundabout at Ninth and Salt Creek Roadway. The street will reopen when vehicles have left the stadium area after the game.

* After the game, Q Street will be closed west of 11th Street to allow for better flow of fans leaving the stadium and cars leaving downtown. Postgame traffic on northbound 10th Street from Q to T streets will be restricted to I-180. No traffic will be allowed to pass the stadium on 10th Street until pedestrians have left the stadium area.

* 16th Street from Vine to Q streets will be closed to northbound traffic postgame.

* Following the game, southbound traffic on North 10th Street south of Charleston Street will be closed. For those who have parked in the Haymarket garages, Seventh Street from N to M streets will be one-way southbound and M Street from Seventh to Ninth streets will be a one-way eastbound.

* As has been the case in past years, the Nebraska State Patrol will sometimes close the on-ramps to I-80 at the Waverly interchange to keep freeway traffic flowing uninterrupted.

If you can't get on at Waverly, head down U.S. 6 to the Greenwood or Ashland exits.

Let someone else get you there

Here’s how to avoid all the brake lights and traffic cops: Take the bus.

StarTran’s Big Red Express will pick you up — and drop you off — far from the gridlock:

* Lincoln Northwest High School, 4901 W. Holdrege St.

* Gateway Mall, 61st and O streets, north parking lot between Dillard's and JCPenney.

* SouthPointe Pavilions, 27th Street and Pine Lake Road, parking south of Von Maur.

* Lincoln North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St.

Here’s how it works:The first shuttles leave each lot two hours before kickoff and continue until 45 minutes before kickoff. After the game, catch the bus back to your car from the drop-off site on R Street between 12th and 14th streets. Buses are expected to take an average of 30 minutes or less from the time riders board a bus to when they are dropped off at their vehicle's location.

Here’s what it costs:$15 (adults) and $10 (children) round trip. Bring exact change or save by buying in advance on the Token Transit smartphone app. Bills larger than a $20 aren't accepted. Season tickets are $65. Get them at the StarTran office, 710 J St., from a lot supervisor on Saturday or on the Token Transit Smartphone app. Tickets can also be purchased by texting "TOKEN" to 41411 to receive a download link.

You made it downtown

Those downtown city parking spots can fill up fast.

Parking prices vary. Prime real estate — spaces nearest the stadium, such as the Haymarket Garage at Ninth and Q streets — sell for $30. Farther-flung lots, such as city-county spaces at 10th and K, are $20.

All city lots are credit-card only, but you can save in some cases by reserving a spot in advance throughparkandgo.org.

Parking meters are enforced on Saturdays, but if you find an on-street spot, you can park there all day for $15 by using the Passport smartphone app and entering "Zone 90."

University also has a number of lots, with prices ranging from $15 to $25. Credit and debit cards are accepted. To purchase beforehand, use ParkMobile athttps://unl.parkmobile.io/.

Don't get towed

If a parking spot looks too good to be true, check it out. There could be a reason — like a no-parking sign — that nobody else is parking on that side of the street.

And don’t block alleys, crosswalks or intersections or park on job sites or constructions areas. If you're towed by order of an LPD officer, you'll have to come up with a $50 towing fine in addition to the $49.53 required to get your car out of the impound lot. Fees for vehicles towed from private property could be even higher.

Keep your car at home

Campus Recreation offers free bike valet service at Cook Pavilion. Details:bike.unl.edu/bikevalet.

You can also rent a bike through the BikeLNK bikeshare program or jump on a PediCab. Electric scooters, however, are grounded on gamedays.

Uber, Lyft and taxi drop-off and pickup will be at the bus stop in front of Henzlik Hall, 1430 Vine St.