Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports game day traffic patterns will be in effect for Thursday’s Bills’ preseason game against the Vikings. 

• 1:45 p.m. – Abbott Road closes to vehicle traffic between the entrance to Lot 4 (north end of the closure) and Lot 2 (south end of the closure).  All through traffic will be diverted at that time. 

• 3:00 p.m. – New Era Field Parking lots open.  Deputies will be focusing on eliminating excessive consumption of alcohol and individuals possessing glass bottles.  In addition, fans and tailgaters are reminded that the Fan Code of Conduct, which promotes responsible tailgating, extends to the parking lots, and that individuals need a game ticket to be in the parking lot.  Any games or activities that impeded traffic flow will not be permitted.   

• 5:30 p.m. – Stadium gates open; check the prohibited items here: https://www.buffalobills.com/stadium/gate-entry-and-permitted-items 

• 9:30 p.m. (or midway thru the 4^th quarter) – Route 20a (a.k.a. Big Tree Road) will be closed to westbound traffic from Abbott Road to the Route 219 overpass.  All vehicles leaving the stadium and private lots along Rte. 20A must travel east. 

The Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to allow extra time to arrive at the stadium due to new traffic patterns on Interstate 90, between routes 400 and 219 as well as Route 5 (Skyway).  There is extensive construction, lane closures and shifts along these routes, and travelers should expect delays.