Game Day Traffic For Iowa Football Could Be Challenge Throughout Season

The college football season begins in Iowa this Saturday and for anyone going to the Iowa Hawkeyes opener, traffic delays may await them. Unfortunately, some of the likely trouble spots will have an impact on traffic the entire season, which is nearly completely sold out. That means 69,250 will be piling into Iowa City for each home game. Here's the traffic spots to avoid.

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First, Some Good News

For the first time in a number of seasons, the I-80/I-380 interchange will be fully operational for traffic this Saturday and for the entire season. There's still some cosmetic work to do, but otherwise, the years of work are complete.

Another Portion of I-80 Promises to Cause Delays

Construction is continuing at I-80 and 1st Avenue in Coralville. You definitely want to avoid this as 1st Avenue will be just one lane in each direction over I-80. It will be that way for the entire season and will likely cause issues both before and after games.

Issue Hopefully Only for the Opener

South Riverside Drive, just south of Myrtle Avenue, is expected to be just one lane in each direction for Saturday's game against Utah State (11:03 a.m. kickoff on FS1). Please use an alternate route to avoid delays here, as well. It's hoped that all four lanes in this area of South Riverside Drive will be open for the September 16 game versus Western Michigan.

Need I-80 Access After Games?

For those who need to get to I-80 after home football games this year, you're encouraged to continue through the Hawkins Drive/Hwy 6 intersection onto Rocky Shore Drive/Park Road. That eventually connects to Dubuque Street. A left turn onto Dubuque Street gets you to I-80 in about one mile. You can also reach I-80 from Highway 6 and Coral Ridge Avenue.

Changes to Parking

A variety of changes are in place for the upcoming season. They're spelled out here by the University of Iowa:

• Lot 52/Hawkeye Ramp: Construction of the Hawkeye Ramp began this past summer with anticipated completion in 2025. For football games in 2023, Lot 52 (previously known as Lot 43N) will continue to provide limited parking for RVs (reserved) and ADA on gameday.
• Lot 40: Passenger vehicles, which were previously parked in Lot 52, have been relocated to Lot 40. Over 350 passenger vehicles will be placed in this lot.
• Lot 73 (University Club Lot): Lot 73 has been expanded to accommodate RVs (reserved), many of which were previously parked in Lot 40. Approximately 60 RVs will be placed in this lot.
• Lot 65 (Finkbine Commuter Lot): Lot 65 will only be available for passenger vehicles on football game day.
• Lot 48 (Myrtle Lot): Myrtle lot has been expanded to accommodate fans displaced due to construction in Lot 14. The Myrtle Lot is no longer a public lot, and a permit will be required for entry on gameday.

Public Parking Changes

• Iowa says there are still some pre-paid permits available for the Finkbine Commuter lot (Lot 65).
• Parking is available for $30 the day of the game at the Finkbine Golf Course, Lower Finkbine, and the softball lots.
• ADA parking is $30 day of the game in Ramp 4. Vehicles must display a state-issued ADA placard or license plate.
• Free parking is available at Hancher Auditorium (Lot 55) and the Hawkeye Commuter (Lot 85).
• Standard hourly rate parking is available at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (Lot 11.

You can keep up with changes to road construction and parking throughout the season here.