Questions About Traffic + Construction for Tomorrow's Game

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

I am going to be bringing some of the kids down to the game tomorrow but the night time start has put a wrench in our normal travel routes and plans.  We will be coming from up north, straight to/from the game instead of visiting east of AA for a day.  First trip down this year and I have two questions that hopefully the mgotrafficwizards can help with.

1.  Construction on I-75/US 23:  I have heard that both the I-75 and the US 23 have or maybe will have substantial areas of construction going on.  Can anybody give me the heads-up on, say, what the construction situation might be from Flint down the 23 to AA?   Anything to worry about and if so, any alternate route suggestions?

2.  Geddes Rd off the US 23:  Creature of habit that I am, I have only ever used Washtenaw Ave to get to my normal parking space near South Univ.   With the advent of the internet and google map, it occurs to my prehistoric brain that Geddes Rd - Huron Pkwy - Geddes Ave might be an easier way to and from the US 23.   Can any who might know please enlighten me on whether or not that is a time-saver? 

Planning on taking the kids to Pizza Bob's before the game for a Sister Ann and a Chocolate Chip/Coffee Milk shake.  I haven't been there since the steam engine was new technology.  If any of you are planning on being around there during the 4:30-5 time period I would love to meet some more of the MgoBloggers.  Last year I got to meet Robf and that was a treat.  

Thank you for your help, Happy Friday, Hope to see you tomorrow, and Go Blue!

XM

 

crg

November 3rd, 2017 at 6:00 AM ^

MDOT can probably give a reasonable update about construction areas and status. If you put in driving directions in Google Maps phone app it usually shows backups (construction and accidents)

HateSparty

November 3rd, 2017 at 8:06 AM ^

I use the app, WAZE. It works great. Have traveled around the eastern US with it and rarely experienced any issues. Also gives you roadkill updates so that was entertaining for the kids to keep a look out for animal species. I benefit more from the police heads up though.

BlueMars24

November 3rd, 2017 at 11:46 AM ^

I take Geddes in for all games and it is great. I like the round-a-bouts. It was maddening when it was closed 2 years ago and had to take Washtenaw in. I usually park on Granger near Burns park. 

 

I dislike waze app. Good for traffic, horrible routes when there is little or no traffic. 

UMICH1606

November 3rd, 2017 at 6:22 AM ^

There is a strong push to make the flex route on 23 operational by mid november. 23 between Brighton and Ann Arbor has lane shifts, but there are 2 lanes of traffic both bounds. I am not sure how the lane shifts are delaying game traffic, I always come in off of Zeeb and 94.

rob f

November 3rd, 2017 at 6:41 AM ^

You're welcome to stop by our tailgate if you'd like; however, there appears to be a chance we won't be on AAGO. I (and everyone else on their email list) got an email from them yesterday stating that they might have the entire course CLOSED TO TAILGATING tomorrow due to recent heavy rain and the resulting waterlogged conditions. They plan on making a final decision today and will again email everyone (and also post it on both their website and Facebook page). If they're closed, then not sure at this point where we'll tailgate.

rob f

November 3rd, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^

I've received two emails from AAGO this morning. First one that no parking for pass-holders Saturday, stating that they have an agreement with Park and Party to accommodate anyone now unable to park on AAGO. I called Park and Party, read the email to a gentleman who identified himself as co-owner, he stated there "is NO such agreement" and he said he would call AAGO to get it straightened out. He called me back a short time later and apologized and offered to help us with parking, but it would be at full price because they at Park and Party have no such agreement with AAGO. AAGO now sent out another mass email to pass-holders stating the same. But no offer to reimburse anyone who paid for their season parking and now has to pay elsewhere. Yes, AAGO isn't good at customer service.

HenneGivenSunday

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^

I mean, I also get it. We aren’t operating from a position of power. They have the limited supply, and we are the massive demand. If I say, “well, I may not renew next year.” They’ll probably politely say they are sorry to hear that, and then laugh when they get off the phone. It pretty much sucks. I’ll be reconsidering my future parking plans, but in all honesty I hate parking almost everywhere else. The worst part is, I’m about 70% sure that the vast majority of their revenue for the year comes from football parking, not golf on a 9 hole golf course in the state of Michigan.

MadMike92

November 3rd, 2017 at 1:29 PM ^

I've noticed a couple of things about AAGO parking the last few years (been parking there for, I think, 18 years now) - the course seems to get more trashed every year by fans, particularly sparty and bucky fans but, really, everybody.  I can't remember it being this bad back in the earlier days. People leave their sites totally trashed, I see people intentionally damaging the course with vehicles, Craig (one of the groundskeepers) tells me that the mowers regularly hit metal spikes left in the ground, etc.  I've often wondered at what point AAGO will say "screw it" and not park people (probably never, too much $$ for sure).  BUT, it is apparent that they are becoming much less tolerant, tightening up the rules and making new rules.  So I guess it doesn't surprise me that I got a big, long-time season pass holder "screw you, read the fine print" from them for the Minnesota game.  It pisses me off that they will no doubt park members for this game, why can't they park the season pass holders (how many are there, a couple hundred at most?).  We're not the ones trashing the place.  / OT rant

HenneGivenSunday

November 3rd, 2017 at 3:00 PM ^

I agree with absolutely everything you just said. If they let the season pass holders come in and just said, “Look, we need to be ultra careful this week. We know it isn’t you that trashes it, but help us keep it looking good as best you can.” I’m sure there wouldn’t be an issue. Instead, they’re keeping the fee that was paid to include this week and inviting all of us to look elsewhere in the future.

xtramelanin

November 3rd, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^

since you're such a good guy.  just let us know where and i'll tell them hey, he's giving away free tickets!  par-tay! 

 

hope to see you there.  i should be in the same place we met last year, first couple of parking spaces north of section 1.  

 

rob f

November 4th, 2017 at 12:35 AM ^

We're going to pull into town around 11:30ish, but still not sure where we'll be parking. There's still a good chance that the U of M Golf Course will open up at noon, as it states on MGoBlue.com, but one of our party called them Friday afternoon and was told it would be a very early decision (like between 5-6am) as to whether to allow parking and tailgating. If we can't park there, we will look for other nearby options. Being that we usually have 6-8 vehicles and at least 20 or so of us, plus 2-3 canopies and a wet bar, we require more space than a lot of front yards and driveways can offer. Especially once we fire up a couple gas grills and space heaters. The "free" tickets? SOLD OUT.

SagNasty

November 3rd, 2017 at 6:51 AM ^

Nothing to be concerned about with construction heading in. It moves freely. May get a bit back up if you are heading into AA at the same time as everyone else but no need to seek an alternative route.

UM Griff

November 3rd, 2017 at 7:00 AM ^

Would be to take M-14 from 23 around the west side of Ann Arbor and exit at Maple/Miller Rd. (Exit 2). Follow Maple eastbound where it turns into Stadium. There is definitely less Gameday traffic approaching the stadium from this direction. Whatever you do, have a great time with the kids, and Go Blue!!

rc15

November 3rd, 2017 at 7:53 AM ^

Take Geddes all the way Hill, you need to take the jog in Geddes over the bridge. If you cut through on Hill you will avoid the clusterfuck that is South U and the parking structure on Forest.

I would think traffic would be significantly less since its a night game, and not a significant rival. People will be getting there over a 12 hour period of time. 

scanner blue

November 3rd, 2017 at 7:58 AM ^

Come visit me at Gate 10 on your way in (2 chutes west of the Granite M) I will have Go Blue light up foam thingees for them after I scan their tix. Plus get a shake from Pizza Bob's but get food from BTB next door ( coming from someone who hung out at Pizza Bob's Uptown being an EQ alum). Hey Carl!

xtramelanin

November 3rd, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^

i will head the kids that direction when we go in.  i'll have the two in the avatar (10 yr olds) and their next oldest brother, 14.  

i'm afraid we would be hours away from pizza bob's by the time we got to you though, so i don't think you want a warm shake.  as for pizza bob's, i literally haven't been there for 35 yrs and i told the kids about it and they are jazzed to go.  i will hit BTB (whatever that is) next time - which could be the game v. ohio.  

also, obligatory: user name checks out! 

Gobgoblue

November 3rd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^

to Ann arbor in about a year, but I'm guessing since it's gameday and there will be a ton of traffic that state St and main St are both closed, Geddes is one way, but with speed bumps, and Washtenaw Ave is now all 4 way stop signs

Indiana Blue

November 3rd, 2017 at 9:33 AM ^

get there early and traffic won't be that bad.  Take the kids to MDen on State, spend $500 on gear.  Then to Pizza House for the 3:30 games and dinner  ... then to Revelli Hall to march into the stadium with the band at 6:30pm.  Watch the destruction of the Gophers then get in the worst traffic you will see all day after the game.   While sitting in that traffic you can eat your leftovers from Pizza House.  

Go Blue!

andidklein

November 3rd, 2017 at 9:52 AM ^

Is the best way to get in. But now that I’ve said that, every moron that parks north of the stadium will take that way in

stephenrjking

November 3rd, 2017 at 10:47 AM ^

Hearing some of these routes that people take to get in makes chuckle. Not because the routes are wrong, but because they are familiar roads to me that I have literally never taken for a football game once. 

Between living in town and then having one route to take in from 94 when I lived out of town, I guess I am a creature of extreme habit.

beangoblue

November 3rd, 2017 at 10:55 AM ^

Bringing my mgowife up from FL for her first trip to the Big House (she’s been to AA before but never a football game). Any advice? When should we get to our seats? Section 2 row 9. Seem pretty good!

Any advice welcome. Thanks and Go Blue!!

stephenrjking

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:27 PM ^

This is true whether from Florida or Manitoba, but dress warmer than you think you need to dress. Sub-50 temps at night, sitting for three hours: It's going to be cold. You may feel a bit overdressed when you leave your car, but at 9 pm after an hour sitting in one place, not so much.

jabberwock

November 3rd, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^

and 23 is still under construction to/from AA.

It's not too bad depending on your ETA but it will slow you down a little bit no matter what.

With a night game, it won't all be at the same time like rush hr or even a Sat noon game (which is stiill very manageable) but I would expect people to trickle in all day/eve.

Shouldn't be much of a problem.

xtramelanin

November 3rd, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^

interesting that the MDOT map is proven inaccurate by your comment.    and yeah, getting to the game will be easy.  getting home might be more challenging, but assuming we get to the 23 without too much fuss we should be okay.  

jabberwock

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^

They're probably aren't outright lane closures, but shoulder work, traffic shifts, and lots of orange barrels will be enough to make people slow down.

It may be a bit of a slog back North if you leave right after the game but thats why the Romans invented rest stops.

xtramelanin

November 3rd, 2017 at 8:23 PM ^

the 3 middle sons are totally jazzed and could care less about the drive.  they will sleep on the way home.  i was born to be a truck driver. i don't get tired when i'm driving and i can drive for hours in silence and not get tired.  i think it goes with my small brain....

rob f

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^

Does anyone need tickets for tomorrow? I'm still going, but have four extras since we bought more to accommodate expected extra attendees only to have some cancel because of the late start. The seats are section 19, row 86, all 4 together. West side, right below the suites (possible shelter from wind/rain problems?), You'll be looking down directly towards the south end zone. I'm willing to sell 2-4 of them for a little less than the $80 apiece we paid. I'm in the StJoe/Benton Harbor area until 5, then heading up to Kalamazoo/ Gull Lake area before 6, then I'll be tailgating SOMEWHERE in Ann Arbor by early afternoon tomorrow, so we'll have to meet up somewhere today or tomorrow accordingly to get you these fantastic tickets. I'd prefer to sell them to a fellow MGoUser if possible. Please email me @ [email protected] if interested.