08-30-96 Football Parking Information TRAFFIC AND PARKING INFORMATION FOR FOOTBALL GAME DAYS COLUMBUS -- Two large construction projects and several road closings on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University will have a major impact on drivers attending Buckeye football games in Ohio Stadium this fall. The season begins Sept. 7 when Ohio State hosts Rice University. University officials say the best advice is to allow plenty of time or to take a COTA bus to the campus. "With the restrictions on parking and on-campus movement, people will have to plan for that," said John Kleberg, assistant vice president for business and administration. "Leaving earlier than usual is a good idea." "There will be officers in the streets to direct people to the different parking lots," said Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation and Parking Services. "We're really encouraging people to come early, be prepared for traffic, and consider parking in the West Campus lots if that's not something they've done in the past. People who park on West Campus will have less hassle and confusion than people who try to park closer to campus." 4,000 SPACES LOST Nearly 4,000 parking spaces that historically have been used for football parking no longer are available. The grass field at the corner of Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road, which accommodated approximately 3,000 cars, now is the site of the Schottenstein Center. And 700 spaces at Neil Avenue and Woody Hayes Drive have been lost to construction of the Max M. Fisher College of Business. Heavy rains on game days also could force the closure of parking lots in other grassy areas. WEST CAMPUS LOTS Drivers are encouraged to park in the West Campus parking lots, accessible off Lane Avenue and Kinnear Road. Public parking is $5 and free for cars with current faculty, staff and student parking decals. Carmack Road from Kenny Road to the West Campus parking lots also is closed for repair for some of the season. NEW LOTS Additional parking will be available on fields at Ackerman Road and Olentangy. The surface lot at 12th and Cannon Drive will now be available for permit parking only, as will the North Medical garage. All day-of-game parking lots open at 6 a.m. and cost $5. SHUTTLE BUSES Free shuttle buses will take fans from the Mount Hall loop on West Campus to the pedestrian footbridge just west of Drake Union and Ohio Stadium. The buses will be available beginning three hours prior to kickoff, run through the game, and continue until an hour after the end of the game. ROAD CONSTRUCTION Road construction projects in the central part of campus and on North High Street just east of campus will slow traffic in those areas. Construction on West 12th Avenue between High and Neil will close that road for the Sept. 7 home opener, but should be complete and open by the Sept. 21 game against Pittsburgh. Traffic on High Street between 11th and 14th avenues will be limited to one lane in each direction throughout the season for a city sewer project. Another sewer project has closed Neil between 17th and 19th avenues and 19th between Neil and Magruder Avenue is also closed until spring. The Neil pedestrian mall is closed from 19th to Woodruff and pedestrian traffic on 18th and 19th also is restricted. DISABILITY PARKING Disability parking has been moved from the east side of Ohio Stadium to a lot adjacent to Cunz Hall (1841 Milliken Road), accessible from West 12th Avenue. A free handi-van shuttle will take fans from the lot to gate 14 of the stadium. University disability permit holders or faculty, staff and students with an OSU decal and a state placard can park in the lot at no charge. Drivers without an OSU decal will be charged $5 and must have a state disability placard. Special disability permits for the Cunz Hall lot on game days are available for $66 for the season by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 292-2624. Although the new location will accommodate more cars, parking in the disability lot is on a first-come, first-served basis for people without a season permit. SEASON PERMIT HOLDERS Holders of football parking permits should clearly display the permits in the windshields of their cars to assist officers in directing them to the proper lots. And all drivers should be alert to instructions from the uniformed traffic and police officers who will be controlling traffic. Several local radio stations will be broadcasting traffic reports and alternate routes. ONE-WAY STREETS Before the game, one-way traffic will be in effect toward the stadium on: West Woodruff Avenue west of College Road, Coffey Road south of Woody Hayes Drive, Tuttle Park Place south of Woody Hayes Drive, King Avenue from Olentangy River Road to Cannon Drive, Cannon Drive from King Avenue to 12th Avenue, and Lane Avenue from state Route 315 and Olentangy River Road. After the game, the same streets will be one-way outbound and, in addition, Lane Avenue will be one-way eastbound from St. John Arena to High Street. King Avenue will be one-way eastbound from Cannon Drive to Neil Avenue after the game. Two-way traffic will be maintained on North High Street, Lane Avenue west of Olentangy River Road, Neil Avenue south of 11th Avenue, and Kenny Road. # CONTACT: John Kleberg, assistant vice president for business and administration, 292-7970; Sarah Blouch, director of transportation and parking services, 292-9800; or Beth Kelley, director of transportation, 292-9800. [Submitted by: Ruth Gerstner (rgerstne@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) Fri, 30 Aug 1996 13:22:20 -0400] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.