Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara gears up for the preseason match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos on Saturday, August 19. Inevitable traffic disruptions expected for people in the area. A whopping 65,000 attendees are expected to flock to the event, which is scheduled to commence at 5:30 p.m., leading to a chaotic situation on the roads and highways around the stadium, according to the City of Santa Clara.
With the event expected to conclude around 9 p.m., heavy traffic and delays are anticipated on major thoroughfares, including Highways 101, 237, 880, and the Lawrence and San Tomas Expressways. Commuters and residents planning to travel surrounding roads should brace themselves for congestion starting around 2 p.m., providing for an extra span of time to reach their destinations.
In an effort to curb traffic overload and ensure public safety, the authorities are implementing multiple precautionary measures. Tasman Drive will be closed between the Convention Center Circle and Centennial / Marie P DeBartolo Way starting at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 19. Additionally, residential neighborhoods are being declared off-limits for parking, and several parking lots – which will open at 2 p.m. – have been designated for stadium-goers. Pre-paid parking passes can be acquired on the Levi's® Stadium website.
The offramp slipway from eastbound Tasman Drive to Stars and Stripes Drive is to remain closed for the duration of the event, and those planning on boarding trains at the station, accessing Gold Lot 1-5, or visiting the Youth Soccer Park will be the sole exceptions allowed passage through the closed lanes. In light of the anticipated transportation hurdles, attendees are strongly encouraged to opt for public transportation, with services by Valley Transportation Authority, ACE/Capitol Corridor heavy rail, and CalTrain being viable alternatives.
The City of Santa Clara Traffic Engineering Department is also making traffic cameras available to the public to aid in making informed decisions about the road conditions. Furthermore, to alleviate the burden on residents and maintain peace during the event, city officials and private security personnel will be positioned at various intersections. To improve response time during the event, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) has established a non-emergency, stadium-related incident phone line that will be actively manned by staff members. SCPD urges the public to report any suspicious activities or objects to the police without delay – safety is the prime concern during this event.
All event-goers are urged to familiarize themselves with the stadium's bag policy, as standard bags, backpacks, and carriers are strictly prohibited, except NFL-approved clear plastic bags, one-gallon clear plastic Ziplock type bags, and small clutch bags. All permitted bags will be inspected upon entry and may be subject to additional inspections within the stadium premises.
In the spirit of maintaining a smooth egress, counterflow planning has been implemented, affecting Highway 237 at Great America Parkway and closing off the highway off-ramps. Directional closures will also be enforced on Great America Parkway from Highways 101 and 237.
