With some advance planning, Brigham Young University football fans should be able to concentrate more on the Cougars' driving down the field, and less on driving and parking at the games.
More than 80 officers from the Utah Highway Patrol and the Orem, Provo and BYU Police will be directing traffic for the BYU home football games, which start Saturday, Sept. 11, said Lt. Steve Baker of the BYU Traffic Office."The six lots immediately adjacent to the stadium, including the west stadium lot, are reserved for pass holders," he said. "Good public parking is available around the Marriott Center, Law School, Smoot Administration Building, Richards Building, Tanner Building and on the intramural field west of University Avenue.
"We encourage our patrons to be thoughtful of residents in the neighborhoods adjoining the stadium," he added. "Don't block driveways or park on private roads, and don't park on red curbs or in front of fire hydrants."
University housing complexes and other private parking in the area are also closed to public parking for the games.
Recreational vehicle parking is available only in Lot 37 west of the football practice field, and public motorcycle parking lots are located in the reserved area west of the stadium as well as in the two reserved lots northeast and southeast of the stadium, he said.
Disabled people with disability permits may park in reserved lots on the west and east sides of the stadium. Disability permits are available from the BYU Athletics Office, 106 Smith Fieldhouse, 378-2096, and should be picked up before the first game.
As in past years, Canyon Road (150 East) directly west of the stadium will be closed for four hours prior to the game and one hour after the game to protect pedestrians.
Baker also issued recommendations regarding I-15 access routes to the Cougar Stadium:
- 800 North, Orem (Exit 275): "We strongly encourage spectators coming from the north to use this road. Traffic turning south on University Avenue will be diverted onto Canyon Road and then to the stadium," he said. "All vehicles - except those with parking passes - should then park at the Marriott Center, Law School or Administration Building."
- Center Street, Orem (Exit 274): "Those who wish to park south or east of the stadium should not use this route. Pass holders parking in reserved lots 2, 4, 5 or 6 could use this route," he said. "Non-pass holders using this route should park on the intramural fields."
"University Avenue is an especially viable route for post-game traffic heading north," Baker added. "We recommend northbound travelers take University Avenue north to Center Street in Orem and then head west to I-15."
- 1200 South, Orem (Exit 272): "This is the main route to the stadium, and traffic here will be heavy and slow," Baker said. "This is the preferred route for pass holders parking in lots 1, 2 and 6. For those fans bringing RVs, this is also the route to use."
It takes about an hour after games to empty the lots adjacent to the stadium. "We encourage fans to not try to leave all at once," Baker said. "Stay and chat with friends for awhile in the stadium."
Better yet, says Baker, don't drive at all - take the bus. "UTA is providing service from Salt Lake and Davis Counties, and fans are taken by a hassle-free route right to the stadium," he said. "At the conclusion of each game, fans are treated to curb-side boarding service, and departing buses are given priority over all other traffic."