Berkeley police are warning residents to expect road closures, traffic, and major delays on Saturday when two international teams play a soccer match at Cal’s Memorial Stadium.
Real Madrid will play Inter Milan in a 3 p.m. game. The teams are playing in the Guinness International Champions Cup, which brings eight great European squads for a round of so-called friendly matches in the U.S. Organizers expect to sell out the 60,000-seat stadium for the match, which will also be broadcast on television.
To prepare for the game, the university covered the artificial turf in the stadium with real grass. It took 40 trucks a day and a half to bring in the grass.
Fans are disappointed that Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, whom many consider the best soccer player in the world, won’t be playing. Toni Kroos of Germany and goalkeeper Keylor Navas of will also be absent.
Here is part of the message sent out Thursday by the police:
The Berkeley Police Department would like to notify the community of parking restrictions and road closures, associated with the soccer match.
Restricted parking will be in effect in the following areas:
Bancroft Way from Bowditch to Warring Avenue
Durant Avenue west of College Avenue along the south side
College Avenue from Bancroft Way to Dwight Way
Piedmont Avenue from Gayley Road to Channing Way
Warring Avenue from Bancroft Way to Channing Way
Prospect Avenue from 2250 Prospect to Channing Way
Canyon Road from Panoramic Way to Stadium Rim Way
Hearst Avenue from Oxford to Gayley Road
Milvia Avenue from Kittredge to Durant Avenue
Oxford Avenue from Hearst to Center Street
Ashby Avenue from Claremont Blvd to Domingo Avenue
Motorists should pay particular attention to the posted tow away signs in the restricted areas. Enforcement will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. and remain in effect until approximately 7 p.m. RPP zones will be enforced, including strict enforcement in the Panoramic Hill area.
The following roads will be closed:
North bound traffic on Piedmont Avenue at Bancroft Way
East bound traffic on Durant Avenue at College Avenue
North and East bound traffic on Piedmont Avenue at Channing Way
North and East bound traffic on Dwight Way at Warring Avenue
Access to the Panoramic Way and Dwight/Hillside neighborhoods will be limited to residents.
We are expecting a large of number of people to attend the match, please consider taking public transportation to the event. Security measures will be in place at the stadium; give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the match.
Berkeley and UC police will be out in force in the neighborhoods surrounding Memorial Stadium to make sure people don’t park in private driveways or impede traffic.
Related:
With big soccer game approaching, Cal addresses impacts (07.18.14)
Real Madrid to play Inter Milan (on grass!) in Berkeley (05.13.04)
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