Be prepared: record crowds, traffic delays expected for Obama's speech (Mesa: appointed, university)

[Valley Native]

ASU Preps for Obama Visit (http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/education/asu_obama_visit_05_11_2009 - broken link)

This is espeically for people who commute into downtown Tempe or around ASU. Obama's visit is expected to draw a record 71,000 people on Wednesday (May 13th) ... so it is advisable to prepare for longer traffic delays and possible blockades & street closures as a result of the event. If you don't absolutely have to be in or around downtown Tempe on Wednesday, it is best to avoid the area as much as possible. It is expected to be one of the largest university graduation ceremonies in U.S. history.

[observer53]

I'll be there, actually. Light rail will be my best friend on Wednesday.

[LocoAZnative]

As someone who lives in Tempe (Southern/Hardy) the traffic will be no different then the normal downtown event. just avoid Mill Ave and you will be fine.

[observer53]

True. It's the arteries right in the area of the stadium that will be most affected. They are encouraging, if not directing, people to get there quite early, so that should spread out the effect as well.

I'm avoiding driving in the area mainly so I don't have to worry about parking.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

It is expected to be one of the largest university graduation ceremonies in U.S. history.

And without doubt - the hottest

[observer53]

Actually, it was not as bad as I thought it might be. They actually handled security and everything very efficiently-- I went early, so I can't say what the wait time was later, but for me it was not more than 20 minutes or so, and I'm only estimating.

I was happy to find my seat was actually on the shady side of the stadium (it shades itself on the west side from mid afternoon on). Fans were provided, and I did the wet cloth around the neck trick before I even realized that my seat would be in shade. There was a breeze some of the time, at least.

Light rail trains were crowded going in, even early (grads were supposed to be there by 3 PM). Afterwards, (and I left before the end, as did many others) they had the new Metrolink buses run people from the stadium to the University/Rural light rail stop. Trains were just going back and forth to Mesa from there. I assume they were doing the same from Mill Ave or the next stop west for those heading west. I skipped the 202 for a bit, as traffic there seemed heavy, but everything else was OK.

All in all, a great night. It was worth a little heat!

[NJ2AZSusan]

Originally Posted by observer53

Actually, it was not as bad as I thought it might be. They actually handled security and everything very efficiently-- I went early, so I can't say what the wait time was later, but for me it was not more than 20 minutes or so, and I'm only estimating.

I was happy to find my seat was actually on the shady side of the stadium (it shades itself on the west side from mid afternoon on). Fans were provided, and I did the wet cloth around the neck trick before I even realized that my seat would be in shade. There was a breeze some of the time, at least.

Light rail trains were crowded going in, even early (grads were supposed to be there by 3 PM). Afterwards, (and I left before the end, as did many others) they had the new Metrolink buses run people from the stadium to the University/Rural light rail stop. Trains were just going back and forth to Mesa from there. I assume they were doing the same from Mill Ave or the next stop west for those heading west. I skipped the 202 for a bit, as traffic there seemed heavy, but everything else was OK.

All in all, a great night. It was worth a little heat!

Observer,
Sounds like it worked out great. How exciting for you to be able to witness that! I watched his speech on TV and thought it was exceptional. He seemed so relaxed and like he was really having fun...the most I have ever seen him smile. I thought the parts where he poked a little fun at ASU's decision not to give him an honorary degree were pretty funny. Kudos to him.
Susan

[Ponderosa]

It's refreshing being around those kids. They've been interviewing them on the TV about their dismal job prospects this year, and while they are disappointed, they are amazingly upbeat and hopeful about their futures. So different from so many of their elders who see nothing but doom and gloom ahead. No wonder he was smiling.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by NJ2AZSusan

Observer,
Sounds like it worked out great. How exciting for you to be able to witness that! I watched his speech on TV and thought it was exceptional. He seemed so relaxed and like he was really having fun...the most I have ever seen him smile. I thought the parts where he poked a little fun at ASU's decision not to give him an honorary degree were pretty funny. Kudos to him.
Susan

I loved how he turned the whole issue about (his) body of work around to make the concept of body of work the main theme for the speech. It was a very memorable evening just for those of us watching, more so for the Obama scholars and the doctoral candidates who had the opportunity to meet him.

I noticed that veryone on the bus and train leaving was just as upbeat or more so, even after the long afternoon/evening, than on the train going in.

Ponderosa-- you are right. Should be an inspriration to all of us.

[Plin]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

It's refreshing being around those kids. They've been interviewing them on the TV about their dismal job prospects this year, and while they are disappointed, they are amazingly upbeat and hopeful about their futures. So different from so many of their elders who see nothing but doom and gloom ahead. No wonder he was smiling.

It's true--my students are a little anxious, but generally optimistic. Quite a number of them have actually found jobs, too, which is encouraging.

I love my research, but it's the students who make my job really amazing. I've been so impressed. I did my doctoral work and early years of teaching at an institution considered much more prestigious than ASU, but my students here are, on the whole, much more solid and dedicated.

As for last night, it really was a magical experience. (The fact that we had to line up, in full regalia in the heat, and stand there for over an hour was less so, but even that discomfort faded against everything else.)