COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- With the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings in town Saturday for an icy hockey bout at the Air Force Academy's Falcon Stadium, drivers might expect a slow journey up Interstate 25 before game time.
But the Colorado State Patrol and AFA officials say they don't expect traffic to be unusually heavy, even with more than 43,000 spectators expected for the game that starts just after 6 p.m.
"We're expecting traffic to be what it is during a home game against one of the service academies (Army or Navy)," said Troy Garnhart, associate athletic director of communications.
Normally, that means opening a third lane for arriving and departing traffic at the two main entrances to the AFA -- the north and south gates.
The state patrol said it will have extra troopers patrolling Interstate 25 between the AFA and the El Paso County line north of Monument, with assistance from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
"Most of the tickets for the game were sold in metro Denver," said Cpl. Ryan Novotny, of the state patrol. "So they'll probably enter through the north gate. Hopefully, that leaves the south gate less congested for local traffic."
Novotny said upgrades at the AFA, such as roundabouts at the north gate, have greatly improved traffic flow during special events.
"Makes our job much easier and allows us to bring more people on for an enforcement time like this, to where we can focus on the impaired drivers instead of worrying about having to direct traffic," he said.
Denver-area drivers also will have to navigate the "Gap" widening project between Monument and Castle Rock.
That doesn't generate any sympathy from Kathy Endicott, a manager at the sports apparel store Game Over.
"The people who live in Denver can have a little taste of what it's like to drive up for a Nuggets game or a Broncos game as we here in the Springs have to do," she said.
Endicott also said fans she spoke with who plan to attend the game are more worried about the cost and ease of parking, than about traffic.
Law enforcement agencies already have more patrols this weekend as part of a DUI crackdown for the Presidents' Day holiday.
"The AFA is an awesome place and (the hockey game) is a great event to be a part of," Novotny said. "We just hope that people are responsible with it. With sporting events come alcohol and good times. We just hope that people make the right decisions, and we'll be out there if they don't."
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NHL game in Colorado Springs not expected to have major traffic impact - KRDO
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