Traveling to Ducks or Beavers game? OSP offers info

Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Transportation again urge football fans to start planning now for the upcoming season. Following last weekend’s football game cancellation, this Saturday will be the first day that both major universities have home games, so be prepared for potential problems on the road affecting all travelers.

An estimated 30,000 additional vehicles converge on Interstate 5 and roads leading to Eugene and Corvallis when home games for the University of Oregon and Oregon State University occur on the same day, as is the case this Saturday and two other future dates. The extra traffic affects travel time and increases the potential for highway incidents and crashes.

A few game day changes for the Corvallis area include:

* The signal timing on Highway 34 has been adjusted to allow more traffic to pass through intersections.
* After an OSU game, motorists at the South Bypass will be restricted from turning west into town but will enjoy a fulltime green light for turning east onto Highway 34.
* Motorists on the Van Buren Bridge traveling east on Highway 34 will not have to stop at the intersection.

In Eugene, the Pioneer Parkway exit ramp from eastbound Highway 126 (Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway) will be closed for approximately 90 minutes after an Oregon game. Motorists traveling eastbound on Highway 126 are encouraged to take the Mohawk Boulevard exit and use Q Street to access north Springfield area.

OSP and ODOT also offer these simple safety tips and reminders:

* Start putting together your traveling game plan now before the season starts
* On game day: leave early, be patient and alert so you can react to sudden stops in traffic, quick lane changes by other vehicles, and leave plenty of distance between you and others on the road
* Keep current on road and travel conditions by visiting TripCheck.com, calling 5-1-1, and listening for radio traffic-related news and updates
* Avoid distractions and don’t talk or text on cell phones when driving
* Buckle up every trip, every time
* Have a sober, rested driver behind the wheel of your vehicle before and after the game

State, county and city police along with ODOT encourage reporting any possible intoxicated or dangerous drivers by calling 9-1-1 or OSP dispatch at 800-24DRUNK (800-243-7865).