Officials in San Marcos are working with Texas State University to prepare for the 30,000 fans who are expected to attend the school's first home football game of the season Sept. 8.

The Bobcats will face the Texas Tech University Red Raiders in Texas State's first football game in the Western Athletic Conference and the first home game at the recently expanded Bobcat Stadium.

Members of the San Marcos police and fire departments, the Hays County Fire Marshal's Office and the city's transportation department have been working with Texas State for several months to prepare for public safety, parking, transportation and traffic flow.

When Larry Teis, director of athletics for Texas State, addressed the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce this spring, he praised the collaborative effort that had already been made among city and university groups.

"It's going to take a lot of people to do what we're doing," Teis said. "But I think when y'all see Texas State and Texas Tech run out of the tunnel in front of 30,000 people, it'll all be worth it."

Sept. 8 traffic plan

Several streets will be closed and others converted to one-way travel to help manage the flow of traffic and pedestrians.

Charles Austin Drive will be one-way from Hopkins Street to Aquarena Springs Drive.

Thorpe Lane will be converted to one-way traffic from Aquarena Springs Drive (Loop 82) to Hopkins (Hwy. 80) as needed.

Southbound exit 206 at Aquarena Springs is expected to be closed Sept. 8 based on traffic conditions, with southbound game traffic directed from I-35 at exit 207 (River Ridge Parkway).

Mill, Eastwood and West streets will be closed at Aquarena Springs Drive.

According to the city, the Convention & Visitors Bureau is distributing fliers this week in English and Spanish to neighborhoods, businesses and apartments along Thorpe Lane and Aquarena Springs Drive to prepare residents for the game.

Texas State will host five more home games this season:

Sept. 22 vs. Stephen F. Austin State University

Sept. 29 vs. University of Nevada

Oct. 13 vs. University of Idaho

Nov. 10 vs. Louisiana Tech University

Dec. 1 vs. New Mexico State University

Complete game day information is at www.txstatebobcats.com/gamedaycentral.