INDIANAPOLIS -
The grills are fired up and tailgating has begun outside Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI Sunday.
The morning fog has burned off and the sun is shining on Indianapolis. The game time temperature at 6:30 pm is expected to be about 45 degrees - not exactly Miami, but a far cry from the ice storm that paralyzed central Indiana a year ago this week.
Parking lots were charging as much as $495 for the day. At Illinois and Norwood, which is very close to Lucas Oil Stadium, that's the price for Super Bowl Sunday. Across the street was $350, but a little further down the street, we found $100 to $200. Some churches are charging just $20 to park for the day, but you'll have to put on your walking shoes.
Eyewitness News caught up with some Giants fans from New Jersey who were out tailgating early. Dave, Carmelo and Marco were cooking up some bacon and peppers on the grill, but they lamented they'd forgotten the hot sauce for the wings later. Within half an hour of the story airing on Super Sunrise, several Hoosiers turned up to bring them hot sauce. Welcome to Indianapolis, gentlemen!
Team updates
According to reports, it appears the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski will play. He was recovering from a high ankle sprain and was seen walking without a limp at the team's photo sessions Saturday.
The buzz Saturday was about Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, who was cut by the team less than 24 hours before the big game. That increases the likelihood Chad Ochocinco will be active against the Giants on Sunday.
In another move Saturday, the Patriots signed defensive end Alex Silvestro from their practice squad.
Game preview
This year's game features a rematch of sorts as the New England Patriots and New York Giants squared off four years ago. In that game, played in Glendale, Ariz., the Giants prevailed 17-14.
The Patriots enter the contest as AFC Champions after doing away with Baltimore in the AFC title game. The Giants advanced when they beat San Francisco to win the NFC Championship.
The Pats and Giants met during the regular season, with the Giants coming out on top 24-20.
It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Giants, as they began the season with wins in six of their first eight games. They then lost four straight. They enter the Super Bowl riding a six-game winning streak.
The Patriots began the season with wins in five of their first six games before losing two in a row. They have not lost since, racking up a 10-game winning streak.
The Giants are appearing in their fifth Super Bowl. They have won three of the first four, while the Patriots are 3-3 in six appearances.
Besides the game, there's a long halftime show featuring Madonna. And, of course, lots and lots of commercials.
Traffic and parking info for Super Bowl Sunday
· Avoid key pinch points - unless traveling to a pre-paid reserved parking destination -- south of Monument Circle, north of Lucas Oil Stadium, east of the Convention Center, and west of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
· New Street Closures
o I-70 exit 79A at West Street (eastbound and westbound)
o Missouri St. closed from McCarty St. to Maryland St.
o Illinois St. closed from McCarty St. to South St.
o South St. closed from West St. to Illinois St.
o Merrill Street closed from Capitol Ave. to Illinois St.
o Russell Avenue partially closed.
The following streets remain closed for Super Bowl Village and Lucas Oil Stadium through Feb. 6:
- Capitol Avenue between Maryland and McCarty Streets
- Illinois Street between Maryland and South Streets
- Meridian Street between Maryland and South Streets
- Pennsylvania Street between Maryland and South Streets
- South Street between Capitol Avenue and Missouri Street
· Parking Tips
o For those with reserved parking: follow instructions on parking pass to find your destination in color-coded quadrants.
o For those without reserved parking, reserve a spot here.
o Without reserved parking by tomorrow, review available parking options here.
· Driving Alternatives
o Free IndyGo service - visit www.IndyGo.Net for available routes.
o Find taxi service on Virginia Ave. between Pennsylvania and Delaware and following the game on Robert D. Orr Plaza between state government buildings just west of Senate Ave. and north of Washington St.
PLAN AHEAD, ALLOW EXTRA TIME, AND BE PATIENT!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Workers hopped onto school buses to get downtown this morning.
Parking for the Super Bowl.
This one is a bargain in comparison.
A big line of Lucas Oil Stadium workers headed in Sunday morning for a long day at the office.
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