While Ames residents are used to crowded streets and congested highways, Thursday night may be a bit out of the ordinary. As the Cyclones prepare to take the national spotlight Thursday night against Texas, Ames and Iowa State Police are preparing for another busy day of tailgating and game day traffic. 

Game day traffic is slated to converge with the usual rush-hour bustle, promising a few headaches along U.S. Highway 30 and Interstate 35 as fans arriving early for the game will mix with residents leaving work and school.

“Usually people start showing up two or three hours before the game on one of these types of games,” said Ames Police Commander Geoff Huff. “So you’re hitting right around that 5 p.m. hour. In addition to game day traffic, you have going home from work traffic at the same time.”

In addition to the congestion, the shorter fall day could cause some problems for fans leaving the stadium after the game has wrapped up, as traffic will take longer to move because of the darkness.

Police also said drivers will need to be extra careful of pedestrians during the busy exodus from Jack Trice.

“You really have to be careful, not that we’re not always careful of pedestrians, but especially careful when it’s dark out,” Huff said.

As for tailgating before the game, Huff said he expects a smaller turnout even if the game itself is heavily attended.

“There will be some tailgating, but students have class. Other people have work,” Huff said. “You’re not going to see the six, seven hours of tailgating going on. It’s kind of a shorter time period.”

Ames and ISU Police will still be out in full force however, partnering again with Story County Sheriffs, Nevada Police and Iowa State Patrol. New this year, ISU Police is also partnering with Story County Emergency Management, The National Guard and the State Fire Marshall.

ISU Police Chief Michael Newton said law enforcement teams will be active six hours before the game.

“It’s kind of interesting because you will have folks trying to park and start tailgating at around 1 p.m., which just adds a different dynamic when you add the normal business and academic environment that still needs to function and move forward on campus,” Newton said.