Football fans advised of game day traffic, parking and stadium procedures

Motorists should leave extra time for travel to and near Penn State games at Beaver Stadium

University Park, Pa. – As Penn State prepares to open its 118th season of intercollegiate football this Saturday, Sept. 4, University and law enforcement officials are urging fans to prepare for new traffic patterns, construction zones and revised stadium parking procedures.

The Nittany Lions kick off the season against Akron at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Beaver Stadium. Fans are encouraged to allow plenty of transit time en route this weekend and on all home game days, and know how to access their designated parking area prior to arriving at the stadium.

Campus traffic

In the immediate vicinity of the stadium, safety precautions will remain in place this year on game days. No large trucks will be allowed on roads adjacent to the stadium. In addition, most roads in the vicinity of the stadium will remain closed to through traffic for the duration of the game. These closures include: Porter Road from College Avenue to Park Avenue; Curtin Road from Bigler Road to Porter Road; and University Drive from Hastings Road to Park Avenue. 

On central campus, Shortlidge Road is now permanently closed between Pollock Road and Curtin Road due to the construction of the new Chemistry and Life Sciences Buildings.

Off-campus traffic

As with the 2003 season, motorists approaching the University Park campus from all points on Interstate 80 are encouraged to follow the new U.S. Route 220, which links with I-80 at exit 161. U.S. 220 will take motorists directly to the stadium exit at Park Avenue or to the U.S. Route 322 bypass. Electronic signage and PennDOT advisory radio (1610 AM) will offer real-time updates on traffic along this route.

Motorists who choose to use Pa. Route 26 through Pleasant Gap should be aware that traffic lights are no longer controlled by police officers along this route on game days.

Construction on the new U.S. Route 220/322 between State College and Bald Eagle should not impact traffic flow on existing U.S. 220 and 322, as the bulk of the new highway work is off the road. Traffic approaching the Scotia Road interchange just west of State College should be aware of new traffic patterns and closely follow signage for U.S. 220/322.

Construction on the stretch of U.S. Route 322 along the Juniata River east of Lewistown – commonly referred to as the Lewistown Narrows – will continue through the season, resulting in some possible delays along the single-lane stretch of highway.

For the latest information on central Pennsylvania highway construction projects, consult the PennDOT Web site at http://www.penndot2.com For statewide highway travel information, go to http://www.dot.state.pa.us

Parking

Parking procedures at Beaver Stadium will be similar to those in place last year, with some changes. Motorists arriving on Park Avenue eastbound without a prepaid pass will again be directed to park in lot 11. Motorists arriving on Park Avenue westbound without a prepaid pass will be directed to park in either lot 20 or the grass area adjacent to Centre Community Hospital.

All motorists should consult a stadium parking map prior to approaching the stadium grounds to determine which lot(s) correspond with their pass.

Last year, changes were implemented involving parking for those with disabilities. ADA-compliant reserved parking will be accommodated in lot 9, adjacent to the Intramural Building and accessible to eastbound traffic on Park Avenue. Continuous shuttle service to the stadium will be provided from this lot. Parking for patrons in wheelchairs is accessible around the stadium, and can be obtained through the Penn State ticket office by calling 814-865-5555 or 800-863-3336. These procedures will be followed again this year.

Motorists will be charged to park in lots along Services Road between Bigler Road and University Drive this year. Parking along Services Road will be prohibited.

With the opening of the East Deck on Bigler Road across from East Halls, approximately 1,200 spaces in this deck will be available for football parking. Game day parking in the East Deck and Eisenhower Parking Deck is $5 per vehicle. 

In parking areas near the stadium, game-day parking passes will be sold for $10 per automobile and $20 per recreational vehicle at entry points to each general parking lot. Prepaid parking passes are available through the Penn State ticket office.

For a detailed brochure on 2004 football parking, go to
http://www.GoPSUsports.com/docs/football03/ftballparking03.pdf

Stadium security

Security measures enacted in 2001 at Beaver Stadium will remain in effect for this season. This year, stadium gates will open one-and-a-half hours prior to kickoff; during the previous two years, gates have opened two hours prior to game time.

Fans will not be permitted to carry-in any item larger than 8.5 x 11 inches in size; backpacks, knapsacks, large purses and bags, and any other item larger than 8.5 x 11 x 11 inches in size are prohibited. All items being brought into the stadium will be checked at the gate. Adults accompanying young children will be permitted to bring in diaper supplies.

Items not permitted in the stadium that are left at the gate will be removed and disposed of for security reasons.

In addition, fans exiting the stadium gates at any point prior to or during the game will not be permitted re-entry into Beaver Stadium. Fans also are reminded that stadium chairs (chairs with backs) are not permitted in the stadium except those that can be rolled up and do not have pockets. Any person needing special accommodations should contact the Penn State ticket office.

For more on expected stadium conduct by fans, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/7775

Tickets

The University expects to sell out all six games this year in the 107,282-seat Beaver Stadium. Limited quantities of tickets remain for five of the six Nittany Lions' home contests, with only the Oct. 9 game with Purdue being a sellout.

Ticket orders can be placed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the athletic ticket office in the Bryce Jordan Center or by calling 814-865-5555 or 800-863-3336. Orders can be made by phone only on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans also can purchase tickets online at http://www.GoPSUsports.com

Currently, three home game kickoff times have been announced –- the Sept. 4 game with Akron will start at 3:30 p.m.; the Sept. 18 game with the University of Central Florida kicks off at 12:10 p.m.; and the Oct. 9 game with Purdue will begin at 4:30 p.m.