Carrie Watters
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 15, 2007 07:35 AM
Last year was the hard part.
Many Arizona Cardinals fans learned more than they probably ever thought they would know about the West Valley when the team's state-of-the-art stadium opened a year ago in Glendale.
Fans heading to the NFL team's preseason home opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium should find only tweaks in parking and traffic plans.
Still, officials advise to plan ahead.
"Arrive early and plan out a route prior to arriving," city traffic engineer Debbie Albert said.
In interviews with The Glendale Republic, team and city officials highlighted those changes.
Question: Will the stadium still use a color-coded parking system?
Answer: Yes. Season ticket holders are assigned to specific color-coded parking lots.
One change to watch for is that season ticket holders have eaten up the brown lot at Glendale and 91st avenues, previously used for single-game ticket holders.
Those without hang tags can park nearby at Kellis High School on 91st Avenue. A shuttle will run from both Kellis and the brown lot two hours before the game and one hour afterward.
Q: What time do lots open and close?
A: Lots open four hours before kickoff and close one hour afterward.
Q: The lot closes one hour afterward, but what if fans want to walk to Westgate City Center after the game?
A: That's fine.
"They're not going to be towed and they're not going to be locked in," team spokesman Mark Dalton said.
City officials are hoping the opening of more bars and restaurants at the adjacent Westgate complex will ease the mass exodus after games.
Q: Can I park my RV in the public lot at Kellis School?
A: No. RV owners who don't already have a pass for Lot F could be out of luck - the lot for oversized vehicles is sold out.
Q: Will the new exit off Loop 101 be open?
A: The north ramps at Bethany Home Road are now open. This gives fans four entryways and exits off the freeway: Camelback and Bethany Home Road from the south, and Glendale and Northern avenues from the north.
Q: Any changes on side streets around the stadium?
A: After the game, there will be reversible lanes on Maryland Avenue west of 95th Avenue, with four of the five lanes dedicated to westbound traffic.
Q: Will up-to-date traffic information be available?
A: The city will have message boards posted and information is available by calling 511.
Rules to remember
• No vehicles will be admitted into University of Phoenix Stadium lots until four hours before game time.
• Guests cannot pay to access parking areas on game day.
• Parking on residential streets for stadium events is discouraged, and event traffic through neighborhoods is not allowed.
• Natural gas or propane grills are permitted, but charcoal grills are not.
• Glass containers are not permitted in any parking area or at Sportsman's Park, including the Great Lawn.
• Tailgating activities are not allowed to resume after Cardinals games.
WTF?
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 15, 2007 07:35 AM
Last year was the hard part.
Many Arizona Cardinals fans learned more than they probably ever thought they would know about the West Valley when the team's state-of-the-art stadium opened a year ago in Glendale.
Fans heading to the NFL team's preseason home opener against the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium should find only tweaks in parking and traffic plans.
Still, officials advise to plan ahead.
"Arrive early and plan out a route prior to arriving," city traffic engineer Debbie Albert said.
In interviews with The Glendale Republic, team and city officials highlighted those changes.
Question: Will the stadium still use a color-coded parking system?
Answer: Yes. Season ticket holders are assigned to specific color-coded parking lots.
One change to watch for is that season ticket holders have eaten up the brown lot at Glendale and 91st avenues, previously used for single-game ticket holders.
Those without hang tags can park nearby at Kellis High School on 91st Avenue. A shuttle will run from both Kellis and the brown lot two hours before the game and one hour afterward.
Q: What time do lots open and close?
A: Lots open four hours before kickoff and close one hour afterward.
Q: The lot closes one hour afterward, but what if fans want to walk to Westgate City Center after the game?
A: That's fine.
"They're not going to be towed and they're not going to be locked in," team spokesman Mark Dalton said.
City officials are hoping the opening of more bars and restaurants at the adjacent Westgate complex will ease the mass exodus after games.
Q: Can I park my RV in the public lot at Kellis School?
A: No. RV owners who don't already have a pass for Lot F could be out of luck - the lot for oversized vehicles is sold out.
Q: Will the new exit off Loop 101 be open?
A: The north ramps at Bethany Home Road are now open. This gives fans four entryways and exits off the freeway: Camelback and Bethany Home Road from the south, and Glendale and Northern avenues from the north.
Q: Any changes on side streets around the stadium?
A: After the game, there will be reversible lanes on Maryland Avenue west of 95th Avenue, with four of the five lanes dedicated to westbound traffic.
Q: Will up-to-date traffic information be available?
A: The city will have message boards posted and information is available by calling 511.
Rules to remember
• No vehicles will be admitted into University of Phoenix Stadium lots until four hours before game time.
• Guests cannot pay to access parking areas on game day.
• Parking on residential streets for stadium events is discouraged, and event traffic through neighborhoods is not allowed.
• Natural gas or propane grills are permitted, but charcoal grills are not.
• Glass containers are not permitted in any parking area or at Sportsman's Park, including the Great Lawn.
• Tailgating activities are not allowed to resume after Cardinals games.
WTF?
