President Obama will be the first sitting president to speak at a Rutgers University commencement ceremony
PISCATAWAY -- Seeking to beat traffic and congestion at security checkpoints, hundreds of people descended on High Point Solutions Stadium as early as 7 a.m. Sunday for President Obama's address at Rutgers University's commencement.
Secret Service agents toting M16s, armored vehicles and dozens of police officers greeted graduates and their families as they began arriving on campus. More than 50,000 people are expected at the stadium for the 12:30 p.m. commencement.
Obama, the first sitting president to speak at a Rutgers commencement, is expected to address the crowd at 12:50 p.m.
By 8 a.m., long, snaking lines of people -- some in cap and gown -- led to security checkpoints set up around the stadium's entrances. Anyone entering the stadium must go through metal detectors and comply with a long list of restrictions, including bans on liquids and bags.
Even before approaching the checkpoints, people were required to show their tickets and identification.
The airport-style security is unprecedented for a Rutgers commencement.
Some of the earliest arrivals brought a cheerful perspective to what awaited them, tailgating in parking lots before the checkpoints opened at 8 a.m.
For those who set out later, traffic quickly built on roads leading to the stadium. Motorists reported traffic on Route 18 was at a near standstill by 9 a.m.
The map below shows real-time traffic problems in red. Click the "+" and "-" icons to zoom in and out.
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Mark Mueller may be reached at mmueller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJMueller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.