2005 Nittany Lion football season begins Sept. 3
University Park, Pa. - With several highway projects underway in the region and the ongoing construction of a new baseball park on the University Park campus, Penn State and law enforcement officials are urging fans to be aware of altered traffic patterns and parking procedures during the 2005 Nittany Lion football season.
The Nittany Lions kick off the season - Joe Paterno's 40th as head coach - against South Florida at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 in Beaver Stadium, the first of five home games over six weeks. 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.
Construction of a new baseball park east of the intersection of Porter and Curtin Roads will result in the reassignment of some football parking spaces during the 2005 season. With the cooperation of the College of Agricultural Sciences, approximately 3,500 new football parking spaces have been created to help offset the lost spaces.
Parking for suite-holders and guests will remain to the east of Beaver Stadium in the area of the new ballpark parking. Club seat-holders will relocate to Lots 24 and 25 east of the stadium, and honorary coach to one of four parking alternatives near the stadium.
The University has worked with affected club seat, suite and honorary coach members to assign the best available spaces and accommodate special needs.
"It is our goal to not only maintain but to enhance the best football tailgating experience anywhere in the country and we believe this temporary inconvenience will ultimately enhance the overall football gameday environment while taking us another step closer in creating state-of-the-art facilities for our overall sports program," said Tim Curley, director of athletics.
On central campus, Shortlidge Road is now permanently closed to vehicular traffic between Pollock Road and Curtin Road, and now serves as a pedestrian mall.
Off-campus traffic
Motorists approaching the University Park campus from all points on Interstate 80 are again 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 along this route are no longer controlled by police officers on game days, which could result in delays.
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 closely follow signage for U.S. 220/322, which currently winds through the interchange ramps.
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 this single-lane stretch of highway. Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns as construction continues in this area.
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 lot 23A adjacent to Mount Nittany Medical Center.
All motorists should consult a stadium parking map prior to approaching the stadium grounds to determine which lot(s) correspond with their pass. Season ticket holders should have received a parking map with their tickets.
In 2003, changes were implemented involving parking for those with disabilities. ADA-compliant reserved parking will again 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 last year, approximately 1,200 spaces in this deck will be available for parking. Game day parking will be available in the East Deck and Eisenhower Parking Deck.
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 map of 2005 football parking areas, go to
http://www.psu.edu/sports/tickets/Football_files/ParkingMap.jpg
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.
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/13198
Tickets
The University expects to sell out all seven games this year in the 107,282-seat Beaver Stadium. Limited quantities of tickets remain for six of the seven Nittany Lions' home contests, with only the Oct. 8 game with border-rival Ohio State 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, four home game kickoff times have been announced - the Sept. 3 game with South Florida will start at 3:30 p.m.; the Sept. 10 game with Cincinnati kicks off at noon p.m.; the Sept. 17 game with Central Michigan will start at 3:30 p.m.; and the Oct. 8 game with Ohio State will begin at 7 or 7:45 p.m.