With the rivalry football game, Florida State University versus the University of Miami fast approaching, fans and residents should be aware of traffic detours.
Traffic is predicted to be heavy and City Commissioner Scott Maddox wants more police officers to patrol for Saturday night’s football game. The pattern would revert to last season’s traffic pattern.
Thousands of fans are expected to be in attendance at Doak Campbell Stadium. Maddox believes that the sold out Prime-time game will cause major traffic delays following the end of the game.
“However, it is my belief that the Miami game will present severe delays leaving the stadium. With an 8 p.m. start time, fans will not be staying long after the game, and will therefore all be leaving at the same time," Maddox said.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Maddox wants to ensure that we have the responsibility to host out-of-town visitors as well as the responsibility to our citizens.
St. Augustine Street in the past has only been used for exclusive access of shuttles transporting fans to and from the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. It will now be open for normal traffic. Pensacola Street will also remain westbound after the game.
Maddox suggests that Tallahassee police department use overtime to consider creating northbound routes.
“I believe it is well worth the expense in order to show that we are an efficient and effective city in dealing with large-scale events,” Maddox said.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Maj. Jim Russell, FSU spokesman, said the new game-day plan is working well and the approach for Saturday’s game will be the same as last previous weekends. Traffic routes and staffing levels will remain the same as well.
Many people are excited about the sold-out game, Carl Valsaint, A fourth-year FSU sociology student from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., plans to get there early.
“I know that the game is going to be packed. I will be there at least three hours early just to find parking,” he said.
Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET and will air on ABC.