Football Parking Information - 08/30/96

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.