Traffic effects on Forest Home for Commencement and Reunion

Commencement Weekend is on May 22-24, 2026. Reunion is June 4th-7th.. Both events will have effects on traffic in Forest Home. Many drivers will be unfamiliar with the roads and the conventions on the one-lane bridges.

Plans for Commencement Weekend are for families and guests to attend two celebratory events: one of two university ceremonies at the stadium on Saturday and a college/school or department ceremony at some point during the weekend.

On Saturday, many campus roads will be closed and parking lots close to the stadium will be reserved for visitors with special needs and have been issued with Blue or Yellow permits.

Note that all campus roads and parking lots will be open to visitors on Friday and Sunday.

Here are links to pages Cornell has put up for visitors:
Events & Schedule – https://commencement.cornell.edu/may/events/
Parking & Directions for Visitors – https://commencement.cornell.edu/may/plan/park/

Map of Cornell Commencement 2026 Road Impacts
– https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/2/7337/files/2026/05/Commencement2026_RoadApproaches_Draft.pdf

The map is helpful as a general picture of what will be closed or require permits on Saturday. There will be two Commencement ceremonies, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The map suggests that visitors may use Forest Home Drive, Cradit Farm Drive and Caldwell Road (colored bright green), but implies that Judd Falls Road and McIntyre Place (colored grey in a thinner width) should not be used. A careful look suggests that the top section of Judd Falls Road will be closed. Residents should be able to get out by heading down (north) Judd Falls Road or taking McIntyre Place.

The map shows which lots are available to visitors with Blue Permits (small lots off Campus Road) or Yellow Permits (Hoy Garage). Also shows the lots off Tower Road that are available to other visitors.

Signage for Commencement Parking

On May 19, signs were placed to direct visitors to the general Commencement Parking and for the few people who have been allocated Blue or Yellow permits.

Coming from the north, there are no signs on Pleasant Grove Road until it meets Forest Home Drive. Drivers are directed to Commencement Parking by turning right over the Downstream Bridge. There are signs pointing in the same direction for the Blue and Yellow Permits.

There are no signs at the bottom of Judd Falls Road or McIntyre Place. The implication is that those heading to commencement are advised to continue along Forest Home Drive. A sign to all Commencement Parking indicates a left turn along Arboretum Road. There is a sign to continue straight ahead after the “jug-handle” tunnel. At the far end, signs for general Commencement Parking and for Blue or Yellow permits direct drivers to turn right up Caldwell Road.

There are no signs at the bottom of Warren Road. Visitors who are following their copy of the map, will need to recognize that they should turn left, cross the Upstream Bridge, and head up Caldwell Road.

Added closure

The Stewart Avenue bridge over Fall Creek is now closed for a major rehabilitation. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-November. See Detour Plan at – https://www.cityofithacany.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=21105

Check back here for details on traffic effects for Reunion (June 4th-7th) and other summer events.