Expect a traffic jam

Some 6,000 students from nearly 400 high schools and several hundred judges will fill more than 200 classrooms April 11-12 during the annual Wisconsin High School Forensic Association State Speech Festival.

Competitions will take place in 15 buildings on or near Bascom Hill. The festival headquarters will be in Bascom Hall.

Due to the large number of visitors and school buses expected to be in that area, Observatory Drive traffic will be limited to one-way westbound between Park and Charter streets from mid-afternoon to 10 p.m., Friday, April 11; and 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, April 12.

During those hours, permit holders or others using Bascom Hill parking lots 9, 10 and 11 will only be able to access those lots by entering Observatory Drive from Park Street. When leaving, they will have to turn left toward Charter Street.