97-09-12 Traffic and Parking Information for Football Game Days TRAFFIC AND PARKING INFORMATION FOR FOOTBALL GAME DAYS COLUMBUS -- Fans driving to the Ohio State University football games this fall will face heavy traffic and some changes in traffic patterns and parking arrangements. The regular season begins with a 1:30 p.m. game Saturday (9/13), when Ohio State hosts Bowling Green. Construction on state Route 315 may delay some drivers. A Sept. 13 celebration in Clintonville may slow some drivers coming to campus for the first game from the north side of Columbus. The Clintonville Sesquicentennial will close North High Street for two blocks at noon between East North Broadway and Dunedin Road. Ongoing construction of the Schottenstein Center at the northwest corner of Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road eliminates a grass field that historically had been used to park 3,000 vehicles on football game days. Another 700 spaces were lost last year at Neil Avenue and Woody Hayes Drive when construction began on the Max M. Fisher College of Business. Heavy rain on game days also could force the closure of parking lots in other grassy areas. University officials say the best advice is to allow plenty of time or to take a COTA bus to the campus. “People will have to plan for the restrictions on parking and on-campus movement,” said John Kleberg, assistant vice president for business and administration. “Leaving early always is a good idea.” “There will be traffic control officers in the streets to direct people to the different parking lots,” said Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation and Parking Services. “Drivers should pay attention to the officers and understand that the officers are directing drivers to the available parking. “Fans should be prepared for heavy traffic,” Blouch said. “Drivers should follow the detour signs on state Route 315, which will get them to the campus area. And when they get here, we’re encouraging them to park in the west campus lots and take a shuttle bus to the stadium. People who park on west campus will have an easier time finding available parking than people who try to park closer to the stadium.” DAY-OF-GAME PARKING Traffic control officers will direct drivers to the nearest available parking area. All day-of-game parking lots for the public open at 6 a.m. and cost $5. Students, faculty and staff with current OSU permits are able to park at no additional charge in game-day lots. WEST CAMPUS LOTS AND SHUTTLE BUSES The best way to avoid any traffic or parking difficulties is to utilize the parking lots on the university’s west campus. The lots are on Carmack Road, just west of Kenny Road and south of Lane Avenue. An ample number of spaces is available in this area and a free shuttle will transport fans to a pedestrian footbridge located just west of Ohio Stadium. The shuttle will begin three hours before kickoff, run through the game, and continue until an hour after the game. SEASON PERMIT PARKING HOLDERS Season permit holders should follow the directions on the back of their permit to access their priority lot. Holders of football parking permits should clearly display their permits in the windshields of their cars to assist officers in directing them to the proper lots. RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Permit parking for recreational vehicles is located on the north side of St. John Arena. Permit holders should follow the directions on the back of their permit to access the lot, which will open at 6 a.m. Overnight occupancy is not permitted. Fans with recreational vehicles who have not purchased a parking permit for the north motor coach lot will be directed to a lot at Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road. Game-day parking for recreational vehicles will cost $30 and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 6 a.m. DISABILITY PARKING Parking for people with disabilities is located in the Cunz Hall parking lot, easily accessible from Neil and 12th avenues. An adapted shuttle will provide transportation to Gate 14 of the stadium from three hours before the game to one hour after. All fans parking in this lot must display a valid state disability placard and pay $5 or display a university disability permit or permit for Cunz Hall issued by the Department of Athletics. STATE ROUTE 315 A portion of state Route 315 near the university and north of downtown Columbus has been closed for construction. Drivers should follow all detour signs. Southbound 315 drivers attending the game should exit the freeway at Ackerman Road or Lane Avenue. ONE-WAY STREETS Before the game, one-way traffic will be in effect toward the stadium from High Street on West Woodruff Avenue, Woody Hayes Drive from Kenny Road east to Cannon Drive, Coffey Road and Tuttle Park Place from Woody Hayes Drive, Cannon Drive from King Avenue to 12th Avenue, King Avenue east from Olentangy River Road and west from Neil Avenue, and Lane Avenue from Olentangy River Road east to Tuttle Park Place and west from High Street. After the game, the same streets will be one-way outbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained on North High Street, Lane Avenue west of Olentangy River Road, Neil Avenue south of 11th Avenue and north of Lane Avenue, and Kenny Road. Local radio stations will be broadcasting traffic reports. COTA also plans to have additional buses serving routes from north and northwest neighborhoods. # Contact: Sarah Blouch, director of Transportation and Parking Services, 292-9800; Beth Kelley, associate director of Transportation and Parking Services, 292-9944; or John Kleberg, assistant vice president for business and administration, 292-7970. Written by David Bhaerman, University Communication, 614-292- 8422. [Submitted by: Von Vargas (vargas.12@osu.edu) Fri, 12 Sep 1997 16:41:32 -0400 (EDT)] All documents are the responsibility of their originator.