More than 52,000 people are expected to pack Rutgers' football stadium for President Obama's commencement speech in Piscataway.
PISCATAWAY -- Rutgers University's annual commencement ceremony always causes major traffic jams around New Brunswick and Piscataway.
But, this year a visit from President Barack Obama is expected to bring traffic in the area to a standstill on Sunday.
Obama is scheduled to speak at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony at Rutgers' High Point Solutions Stadium on the Busch Campus in Piscataway under heavy security. Approximately 52,000 people, including 12,000 graduates on the field, are expected to pack the stadium.
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Road closures will begin Saturday when Sutphen Road on the Busch Campus will close to all traffic except vehicles associated with commencement setup.
On Sunday, Exit 9 (River Road) on Route 287 will be closed from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Vehicles should use Exit 8 instead, Rutgers officials said.
"Travelers should expect delays on local streets and on Route 18 in the vicinity of New Brunswick and Piscataway," Rutgers officials said in a traffic advisory. "Roadways including College Avenue, George Street, River Road, Hoes Lane, Metlars Lane and the John Lynch and Landing Lane bridges all will experience heavy traffic."
The final day of the popular Greek Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church will be held at the same time a few blocks away on River Road in Piscataway, further complicating traffic in the area.
Rutgers students and guests, who need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony, will be able to take shuttle buses from New Brunswick and Piscataway to get to the stadium. Some attendees will also be walking across the John Lynch Bridge, which links New Brunswick and Piscataway, to get to the ceremony.
Gates to the stadium open at 8 a.m. for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony. The commencement is expected to conclude at 2 p.m. But, traffic will remain heavy in the area as convocations and other graduation ceremonies and receptions are held across Rutgers' Piscataway and New Brunswick campuses.