What you Need to Know for Packers Thursday Night Football on CBS 58

The Packers will play the Bears at Lambeau Field Thursday night in a game that will be televised on CBS 58. Coverage of the game starts at 6:00 PM on CBS 58 with a pre-game special "Border Battle". CBS NFL coverage will begin at 6:30 PM. Stay with CBS 58 after the game for post-game coverage.

Lambeau Field is ready for Thursday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, which will feature each team’s “Color Rush” uniform for the first time.

Each team playing on Thursday Night Football this season is wearing the “Color Rush” uniforms, and the Packers’ uniforms debuting Thursday will include their regular white road jersey, with new white pants to match, as well as white shoes and socks. The Bears will wear all navy.

RELATED: Packers to Wear Mostly White for Game Against Bears

Prior to Thursday’s game, the Packers and Verizon will team up to host a wireless phone drive in support of domestic violence survivors. Part of Verizon’s HopeLine® program, the special collection invites fans to donate their no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any carrier.

Volunteers will be accepting donated phones and equipment at each Lambeau Field gate from 5:25 PM until kickoff. All phones collected will be distributed to and provide support for survivors of domestic violence in Wisconsin.

RELATED: Verizon Collecting Cell Phones From Packers Fans at Thursday Night Football

Those who will not be at the game can still donate by bringing their used phones and accessories to Lambeau Field and donating at the Verizon HopeLine® donation box in the Atrium, or at any area Verizon store.

Additionally, the Packers have collaborated with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Choir to create a unique performance for Thursday night. Making their first appearance at Lambeau Field, they will take the field to perform the national anthem, and will appear again for a special halftime performance. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early for the anthem and remain in their seats during halftime to see the highly-anticipated performance.

RELATED: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to Play National Anthem and Halftime Performance at Lambeau

The organization also is reminding game attendees to allow plenty of time to enter the stadium gates prior to the game and to enter at the gate listed on their tickets. All fans entering Lambeau Field on gameday will use walk-through metal detectors, a league-wide mandate for use at all NFL stadium gates. The most efficient way through the detectors will be via express lanes at each gate for fans entering the stadium without any bags or stadium seats.

As in previous years, no bags or purses will be allowed inside Lambeau Field unless they are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and are no larger than 12” by 6” by 12”. Small clutches that do not exceed 4.5” by 6.5” are permitted. Stadium cushions are also not allowed, however, stadium seats and stadium pads that contain no pockets or zippers and are 18” wide or smaller are allowed. For more information on the NFL’s safety policy, please visit packers.com/carryin.

Two featured alumni are scheduled to make appearances Thursday; Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks will be taking part in fan activities at the Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club, respectively, leading up to kickoff.

In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions will be recognizing U.S. Army veteran John Rutt and his family through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem.

Thursday’s pregame festivities will also honor Lexi Ananiadis from Stevens Point, Wis., as the Shopko Kick-off Kid. Lexi is being honored in the Shopko Kids Making a Difference program for starting Meals For Hope to provide meals and collect clothes for those in need in her community. Learn more at shopko.com/kickoffkid.

Also prior to the game, the High School Quarterback Challenge, presented by HPE and Camera Corner, will feature players from Bay Port High School and Green Bay Preble High School in an on-field competition.

Fans will receive fandanas compliments of Coca-Cola as the game giveaway as they enter the stadium.

All fans, even those without game tickets, can attend the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot, featuring live bands, alumni autographs and food and beverages.

The Lambeau Field Atrium will be open to ticketed guests only beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with exit/re-entry allowed until 3:25 p.m. The Lambeau Field parking lots and TTZ will open at 3:25 p.m., and stadium gates will open at 5:25 p.m. Visit http://www.packers.com/gameday/ for more information.

TRAFFIC:

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Northeast Region reminds motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Thursday, October 20, for the Green Bay Packer/Chicago Bears football game that I-41 and adjacent roadways from WIS 29 north to Lineville Road in Brown County are under construction. 

Thursday’s game may have greater impacts than usual on traffic operations in Brown County, as both commuter and football traffic will be using the local highway system. 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.

I-41, WIS 172 and I-43 could experience backups near the stadium, as could the I-41 interchanges at Lombardi Avenue, Oneida Street, WIS 172 and I-43. Orange barrels, and narrow lanes will affect travel.  Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route. The heaviest congestion is expected three hours before and after the game.

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.

WIS 172 and I-41/WIS 172 Interchange

• Brown County

• Motorists should expect congestion and potential delays at the I-41/WIS 172 interchange and on WIS 172 in Brown County from I-43 to the WIS 172/I-41 interchange before and after the game. Motorists should consider alternate routes if possible.

I-41 mainline

• Brown County

• Drivers can expect slow-downs within the I-41 Project work zone between WIS 29 and Lineville Road. The speed limit is reduced to 55mph in this area.

• Winnebago County

• 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

• Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties.

• Drivers should be aware of orange barrels, narrow lanes, barrier walls and reduced speed limits.
• US 10 eastbound between County CB and I-41 northbound is reduced to a single lane.

US 41, Oconto County

• US 41 from US 141/US 41 split to the south end of Oconto may be reduced to one lane for US 41 resurfacing.

US 141, Marinette County

• US 141 southbound is closed in the village of Wausaukee from WIS 180 to north village of Wausaukee limit. A detour using local streets is posted.

Milwaukee area

• The southbound I-41 ramp to westbound I-94 will be closed overnight Thursday. This may impact travel following the game.