Date:

September 4, 2008

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Captain Bob Kawamoto, Police Department, 441-7751

Scott Opfer, Public Works and Utilities, 441-7851

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said the City is ready to welcome visitors headed to Husker football games.

“We continue to make progress on the Antelope Valley Project, and visitors will see even more changes in the project area,” Mayor Beutler said. “The bridge projects on ‘P’ and ‘Q’ streets are now completed, and we hope to have the ‘O’ Street bridge east of downtown finished by the second home football game. The south leg of the elevated roadway near the Devaney Center also will be extended soon, alleviating traffic concerns on the east side of campus.”

Antelope Valley Project Manager Wayne Teten outlined the major traffic changes:

• Motorists may experience congestion at the “O” Street bridge project between 21st and 22nd streets. The temporary road at that site has been reduced to one lane in each direction. The bridge is expected to open in early September.
• The south leg of the elevated roadway was recently opened from “Y” to Vine streets.
• The east leg of the elevated roadway is under construction.

More information on the Antelope Valley Project is available at lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: antelope).

The Harris Overpass, which carries “O” Street traffic between downtown and West “O” will be closed during the majority of the football season for reconstruction. Those who have normally used the overpass can enter downtown on Rosa Parks Way or follow the detour on Sun Valley Blvd. to Cornhusker Hwy.

On football game days, Interstate 80 exits can be very congested, so visitors are encouraged to use Highways 6 and 34 and the West Bypass as alternate routes. Contractors will not work on highway or Interstate projects on game days, so I-80 will have two lanes open in each direction, and all lanes will be open on highways. There is a closure on Highway 79 from Raymond Road to Highway 34. Travelers are encouraged to call 511 to check on highway and weather conditions.

Because of the usual traffic congestion after football games, Beutler encouraged Husker fans to “linger in Lincoln” and enjoy the dining, shopping and entertainment in the downtown and Haymarket areas. The Mayor also encourages visitors to plan ahead for traffic and parking and to try one of the options offered by the City: pre-paid, reserved event parking, and StarTran’s Big Red Express (details below).

Those traveling downtown should be aware of the bike lanes on 14th Street from “L” to “R” streets and on 11th Street from “Q” to “K” streets.

In addition to its regular routes, StarTran will provide its Big Red Express service on Husker game days starting two hours before kickoff from five locations:

• Westfield Gateway, 61st and “O” streets. Buses load in the area north of Penney’s, south of Circuit City.
• North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St. (six blocks east of North 27th Street and Folkways Blvd.)
• Holmes Lake, 70th and Normal, north end of the lake.
• Southeast Community College, 8800 “O” Street, parking lot on south side.
• Southwest High School, South 14th Street and Pine Lake Road

After the game, buses will leave from the east side of the stadium. The cost is $4 each way for adults and $1 each way for children age 12 and under, and passengers will need exact change. Big Red Express season ticket packets, good for round-trip travel for all eight home games, are available for $48, a savings of $16. They are available at StarTran, 710 “J” Street. For information, call 476-1234.

The City recommends reserving pre-paid, event parking through the City Web site, lincoln.ne.gov, and through parkitdowntown.org. Football parking locations and fees are:

• City-County, 10th and “K” streets - $6 on site, $7 online
• Carriage Park, 1120 “L” Street; and Cornhusker Square, 1220 “L” Street - $9 on site, $10 online
• Center Park, 1100 “N” Street; Lincoln Station South, 7th and “P” streets; Lumberworks, 711 “O”; and University Square, 101 North 14th - $11 on site, $12 online
• Haymarket, 9th and “Q” streets; Iron Horse, 7th and “Q” streets; Market Place, 10th and “Q” streets; and Que Place, 1111 “Q” Street - $12 on site, $13 online

Maps and other parking information are available at lincoln.ne.gov and by calling the parking office at 402-441-6472.

University of Nebraska game day parking information and maps are available at http://parking.unl.edu/ (keyword: football). Parking also is available at the following University areas for $10:

• 17th and “R” garage
• 14th and New Hampshire streets
• 14th and “R” streets
• 1410 “Q” Street
• Harper Schramm Smith Food Service, 14th and “Y” streets
• 940 N. 17th Street
• 17th and “R” streets (southwest corner)
• Anderson Hall, 16th Street between “P” and “Q” streets
• 19th and “Q” streets
• 18th and “R” streets
• Beadle Center, 19th Street north of “S” Street
• 1820 “R” Street
• 900 North 22nd Street
• Business Services Complex, 17th Street north of “Y” Street

Wheelchair accessible parking is available at UNL Lot 8, Stadium Drive and Holdrege, for $10 per vehicle. Handicapped parking is available at:

• Mabel Lee Hall (vans only) - $10
• 14th and Avery garage - $10, with free cart shuttle
• 14th and Avery surface lot - $10, with free cart shuttle
• 14th Street between Vine and “W” streets, free on-street parking where available
• 17th and “R” garage - $10 with bus service

Those using Interstate 80 who plan to park in the Haymarket Park lots should use the airport exit (399). Those parking in downtown should use the 9th Street/downtown exit (401).

A number of private lots also are available. Rates vary, and some offer season passes.

Downtown parking meters are enforced from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Vehicles blocking drives, parked too close to the intersection, parked on public right of way or interfering with vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be towed.

STREET CLOSURES AND CHANGES

Stadium Drive west of the stadium will be closed to all vehicular traffic. Passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after the game. Fans can be dropped off and picked up at 10th and Charleston streets and 12th and “R” streets.

Only StarTran buses and those using UNL Lot 12 or handicapped parking will be allowed west of 16th Street on Vine.

Charter buses will park on “W” Street between 14th and 16th streets.

The following traffic patterns are in effect after the football games:

• 10th Street is one-way northbound from Military Avenue to Sun Valley Boulevard.
• 8th Street is one-way southbound from “S” to “N” streets.

The taxi stand is at 14th and Vine streets.

REMINDERS

Alcohol is prohibited on City streets, parking lots, garages and sidewalks including the trail between Haymarket Park and 8th Street.

The sale of tickets, souvenirs or other items is not allowed on City streets or sidewalks. Officers will issue citations for violations that inhibit the use of the street or sidewalk.

Lock your vehicle and put valuable items out of sight to prevent theft.

Grills are not allowed in City parking garages.

Backpacks and umbrellas are not allowed in Memorial Stadium.