COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Thousands of drivers going to Saturday night's pro hockey game at the Air Force Academy 's Falcon Stadium were surprised -- and upset -- by traffic jams before and after the contest.
The Colorado State Patrol and AFA officials said Friday that they didn't anticipate any major traffic issues surrounding the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings.
The situation also affected drivers who were driving in traffic, trying to get to and from other destinations.
"The traffic is horrible!" said a woman who texted KRDO NewsChannel 13 less that 30 minutes before the game began. "I am so frustrated right now! I'm trying to get home from Monument. I have never seen (any)thing like this in my life. Traffic is backed up in Gleneagle. Total standstill."
Even KRDO NewsChannel 13 General Manager Mark Pimentel was caught in the massive congestion, texting the following photo at the intersection of Voyager Parkway and North Gate Boulevard just before 5 p.m.
"(My) GPS says it will take us 20 minutes to go one mile," he said. "Would not be surprised if it takes us two hours to get four miles."
According to other news reports, because of the backups many drivers arrived at the game around halfway through and were forced to park long distances away and walk to the stadium.
"We missed the intermission concert by Sam Hunt," a driver said. "Then many people turned around and left almost as soon as they arrived to avoid the same kind of traffic jams going home. I've attended concerts here before and it was never like this."
Another spectator who attended the game said all departing traffic was directed through the academy's south gate and none of it used the north gate exit.
"I don't know why," he said. "Maybe there was a crash or something up north."
As it turns out, several crashes were reported in the Interstate 25 "Gap" construction zone between Monument and Castle Rock, and the Colorado Department of Transportation sent a tweet alerting drivers to emergency road repairs being conducted in that area.
Some drivers said the trip from Denver, which normally takes an hour, took as long as four hours Saturday afternoon.
Many drivers are demanding refunds for their game tickets. Officials weren't immediately available to respond Saturday night.
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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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Expectations of AFA, state troopers for smooth traffic at NHL game in Colorado Springs don't materialize - KRDO
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