Nebraska officials are recommending alternate routes into Lincoln as thousands of Husker fans head to Memorial Stadium Saturday amid ongoing road construction.
Gov. Jim Pillen has directed the Nebraska Department of Transportation to modify traffic routes intended to speed up travel into downtown Lincoln. NDOT is working with the Nebraska State Patrol on the changes ahead of Nebraska’s home football game.
Fans traveling from Omaha on Interstate 80 are encouraged to consider exiting before reaching the main downtown route. Recommended options include Exit 409 at Waverly and taking U.S. 6 west to Cornhusker Highway, Exit 405 at 56th Street or Exit 403 at 27th Street and continuing toward Salt Creek Roadway.
Drivers who pass those exits can continue to Exit 401 and take southbound I-180 into downtown Lincoln.
Fans arriving from the west on U.S. 34 also have several recommended routes. Drivers can take Northwest 48th Street south to either U.S. 6 or I-80. From U.S. 6, motorists can continue east toward downtown. Drivers entering I-80 can travel east to Exit 399 and take Cornhusker Highway to I-180. Another option is taking West Fletcher Avenue to Northwest First Street, which becomes Superior Street, before connecting with I-180 south into downtown.
Officials say traffic that misses the recommended turns may be routed back to westbound I-80 at the Exit 401 interchange to use Exit 399 or Exit 397.
Despite the traffic modifications, fans are being advised to leave early and allow extra time to reach downtown. The Nebraska State Patrol will also have additional resources in place to manage game-day traffic. Trooper pilots will monitor traffic from the air and relay information to troopers on the ground. Live traffic reports from Trooper Brett will also air before and after the game on Huskers Radio Network stations.
Officials are reminding motorists to expect heavier vehicle and pedestrian traffic as kickoff approaches, follow posted traffic controls, watch for pedestrians and avoid distractions while driving.
Drivers can also use the Nebraska 511 app or website for current road conditions, construction zones, traffic cameras and other travel information.