49ers game could snarl evening commute in South Bay

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KTVU) – Drivers in the South Bay should expect more delays on their afternoon commute Thursday.

Thousands of football fans will be headed to Levi’s Stadium for a pre-season game.

This is the first 49ers game that will take place at Levi’s Stadium on a weeknight that hasn’t occurred on a holiday, so there could be some delays.

There’s going to be a lot more police and CHP officers around Levi’s Stadium and the major thoroughfares. Drivers should expect heavier traffic on Highway 101 and Highway 237.

A 49ers spokesman told KTVU it’s very typical for the NFL to schedule a preseason game on a Thursday night every several years so it’s something they can’t avoid.

But, stadium officials are confident that one year under their belt in the new stadium has helped prepare them for Thursday night’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

They decided to push the game back to 7 p.m. instead of having the game at 5 p.m. to ease the strain on the evening commute.

Officials are encouraging fans to take public transportation if possible.

The VTA is running 10 extra trains during the peak afternoon commute and seven of those will route directly to Levi’s Stadium.

There will also be express bus service from Fremont BART to the stadium.

When it comes to leaving the game, the VTA will have trains leaving every five minutes to help alleviate congestion. 

For anyone taking Caltrain, there will be two extra trains running post game.

Levi’s Stadium has added exits to its parking lots on Great America Parkway.

When people leave the game, police will have both north and southbound lanes of Great America Parkway go the same direction, so they can all be used as exit lanes.