Heavy traffic expected for Packers, Bears Thursday night game

GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminds motorists driving to Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 28, for the Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears football game that Thursday night’s game will have a significant impact on traffic operations. A 7:25 p.m. kickoff will put gameday traffic and commuter traffic on highways near Lambeau Field at roughly the same time, which could result in slow travel and backups on the local system.

WisDOT will open as many lanes as possible on construction projects in northeast Wisconsin to move the increased traffic as effectively as possible, but some work zones will still have traffic control devices, soft shoulders, narrow lanes and barrier wall present. Construction project areas in northeast Wisconsin with traffic control devices include I-43 in Brown, Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, I-41 in Brown and Outagamie counties, and the WIS 441 Tri-County expansion project in the Fox Valley. While most lanes will open for Packer traffic, slowdowns are still possible in the projects’ work zones.

Closer to the stadium, all lanes of travel in construction zones will be open in Brown County, although I-41, WIS 172 and I-43 could experience backups as fans head to and from Lambeau Field. I-41 interchanges at Oneida Street, Lombardi Avenue, WIS 172 and I-43 are also potential areas where delays may occur due to higher volumes of traffic.

WisDOT encourages those traveling to the game to pre-plan their trip. Other tips include using alternate routes, adjusting your leave to ensure you reach the destination on time, and following the traveler information on the message boards. Commuter traffic not heading to the game is encouraged to find alternate routes off the main interstate and highway system, if possible. Never drive distracted, as slow downs and back-ups can occur suddenly.

Those heading to the game can consider using alternate highway interchanges further from Lambeau Field in Brown County to avoid back-ups or slowdowns. Please note, alternate routes require knowledge of local roads to navigate to the stadium. Alternate interchanges include:

I-43/Mason St. or I-43/Manitowoc Road on Green Bay’s east side

WIS 172/Webster Ave. or WIS 172/County GV on Green Bay’s east side

I-41/Main Avenue or I-41/Scheuring Road south of Lambeau Field

I-41/Mason St. or I-41/Shawano Ave. to the north of Lambeau Field

Here is a list of the major highways in northeast Wisconsin most Packer fans will be traveling as they head for Lambeau Field, and the road conditions they should anticipate.

I-41 Resurfacing Project – Brown and Outagamie Counties

I-41 from Kaukauna to De Pere is under construction, but both lanes are open to traffic before and after the game. However, the lanes are configured to split traffic (three on one side, one on the other) for bridge work near Wrightstown. This area experienced backups during the previous Packer home games. Motorists are reminded they can use both lanes of northbound and southbound I-41.

Uneven lanes, traffic control devices in the project work zone could still slow travel on I-41 in Brown and Outagamie counties.

I-41 near Wrightstown will continue in its current configuration with split traffic in one direction, but two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction for gameday.

WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project - Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties

I-41 Mainline

Barrier wall, narrow lanes, short merge distances and orange barrels will be present at various locations due to the WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project.

Drivers will encounter reduced speed limits on I-41 near the US 10/WIS 441/I-41 interchange.

Drivers should also watch for reduced lane widths and reduced shoulder widths on northbound and southbound I-41.

WIS 441, US 10 and Roland Kampo Bridge

Drivers should be aware of orange barrels, narrow lanes, barrier walls and reduced speed limits due to the WIS 441 Tri-County Expansion Project.

US 10 eastbound between County CB and I-41 northbound is reduced to a single lane.

Westbound US 10/southbound WIS 441 to northbound I-41 ramp is closed until spring of 2018.

Detour: Continue on westbound US 10 to WIS 76, follow WIS 76 north to WIS 96, take WIS 96 east to I-41.

I-43 Resurfacing Project – Brown, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties

All lanes of travel will open in the construction work zones five hours before and five hours after the game.

Traffic control devices in the project work zones could still slow travel.

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