Police, ODOT, local schools prepare for traffic tie-ups at Keizer Station In-N-Out

KEIZER, Ore. – The calm before the storm.

Thousands are expected to come out to the Keizer Station on Thursday (Dec. 12) for the grand opening of the northernmost In-N-Out restaurant.

The signs have been printed, and employees are prepping for the droves coming through for their double-doubles with animal-style fries.

While the parking lot is empty now, officials are preparing for mayhem.

They are asking everyone to use Keizer Station Blvd. to get in, they fill the parking lot at In-N-Out, but when that over flows, the restaurant has rented the Volcano Stadium lot just down the road, where they will queue cars in groups to help keep things moving.

Police, the Oregon Dept. of Transportation and even the Salem-Keizer School District are all preparing for the cars.

RELATED | Former KATU News photographer is first in line at Keizer's new In-N-Out Burger

District officials say they warned parents there could some delays.

According to the district, buses drive by Keizer Station at least 200 times a day as part of their routes.

“We anticipate that tomorrow will be a day of learning for us in terms of how to navigate what’s going on at Keizer Station,” said Lillian Govis of the Salem-Keizer School District.

No matter what happens the district says students will make it to and from school.

“Six years without In-N-Out burger is a long time,” said Jourdan Bautista, who is the first person in line for the drive through.

By the time they open on Thursday, he’ll have been waiting more than 36 hours.

Officials with In-N-Out didn’t want people camping, so for those who showed up first, they already got wrist bands securing their spot. But Jourdan isn’t leaving.

“It’s more of a personal thing. I know I am allowed to leave and guaranteed the spot, but just being here making sure is just a little more special,” said Bautista.