Police encourage early arrival and alternate routes as traffic diversions for the Notre Dame game

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (WSBT) — The hype and talk ends today, it’s finally game day.

Notre Dame takes on IU in the first-ever College Football Playoff home game for any team.

As the hours wind down before kickoff tonight, police want everyone to be safe.

Police suggest fans arrive early.

The parties open at 8 a.m., and police say those not going to the game should take alternative routes.

The traffic patterns will run the same as normal game days just at different times.

The police can expect delays, so give yourself the extra time.

Main roads near the campus will be converted to one-way roads from 16.00 to 18.30 and then again after the match.

Since this is still a work day for many, it is encouraged to find an alternate route away from campus if you normally drive near traffic on your way home.

“We’re also going to have a lot of holiday travel, so we’re also going to encourage people who aren’t going to the game, if they’re going out to the mall, to use Cleveland Road going east or west, because if you’re coming down Douglas toward the mall, you will be turned around at Ironwood and Douglas because it will be one-way traffic on the outbound side,” says Sergeant Aris Lee.

For fans without prepaid parking, there will be paid lots that accept credit cards only.

There will also be buses running from downtown South Bend to campus.

Tailgating will run from 8.00 for kickoff and then open again after the game for 3 hours.