A shuttle bus can ease some parking worries for the KU-Cal State Northridge game on Saturday.
The newly renovated Kansas Memorial Stadium will be a football fan magnet Saturday afternoon, and police are offering some tips to avoid game day headaches.
"All of this not only affects parking, which is bad, but it affects traffic as well," Lawrence Police Sgt. George Wheeler said.
Streets near the stadium will become congested as the 6 p.m. kickoff nears, and Lawrence police officers will shift staffing schedules to accommodate the fans.
"We do not allow officers to have days off on game days, and we'll have the midnight shift come in early," Wheeler said.
When the double shifts are working, there will be 50 officers on duty throughout Lawrence, and some will patrol the areas surrounding the stadium. KU police will be inside the stadium, along with officers from the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.
"We put as many officers on bicycles, motorcycles and foot patrol as we can," Wheeler said.
Wheeler and KU Police Sgt. Troy Mailen suggest football fans leave early for the game, and pay attention to street signs. Illinois and Alabama streets are changed to one-way streets on game days.
"Leave plenty of time to get to your destination, don't park on a sidewalk and avoid driving at peak times before and after the game," Wheeler said.
Mailen said parking lots surrounding the stadium will be limited to paying customers and people with special permits. Other lots, such as those near the Burge Union and south of the Robinson Health and Physical Education Center, are open and free.
The KU athletics department is contracting with the Lawrence Bus Co. to provide shuttle services before, during and after the game. Fans can park for free in the parking garage north of Allen Fieldhouse and other nearby lots and ride the shuttle for $1 one way.
The shuttle service begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, and leaves from Irving Hill Road and Burdick Drive (near Burge Union). Another bus leaves from lot 90, south of the Robinson Health and Physical Education Center.
Drop-off points will be on Mississippi Street, east of the stadium, and directly in front of the stadium on 11th Street. Buses will begin returning people to the lots during the third quarter, and will run until 30 minutes after the game.
A handicapped-accessible bus will be at lot 90, and will also pick up people near Burge Union.
-- Chris Koger's phone message number is 832-7126. His e-mail address is ckoger@ljworld.com.
BIG BLUE WEEKEND The first Big Blue Weekend kicks off at 3 p.m. today as the Jayhawks prepare to take on Cal State Northridge at 6 p.m. at Kansas University's Memorial Stadium. Pregame tailgate parties and bus service to and from the game will be offered at three locations: Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa; Johnny's Tavern, 401 N. Second; and Ramada Inn, 2222 W. Sixth. Big Blue Weekends are a promotion by the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau held on home football game days. |
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