Washington State University Parking and Transportation Services is taking steps to ease traffic and parking headaches when the Cougars open the football season with a game against the University of Idaho Vandals Thursday, Sept. 1.
The annual “Battle of the Palouse” game between the two universities is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. in Martin Stadium. However, with the many Cougar and Vandal fans arriving early for pregame festivities and WSU employees still at work on campus, the Thursday afternoon traffic will be much heavier than usual, and parking spaces will be at a premium.
WSU Parking and Transportation officials have some tips to help football fans and WSU employees save time and ease the pressure on campus.
Students, faculty and staff can carpool, ride Pullman Transit or the Wheatland Express for free by showing a CougarCard, or “Park and Ride” from a number of locations near campus, including the downtown area near the Pullman Transit transfer station and the WSU Visitor Center, Terre View Drive, Chief Joseph Apartments or the Valley Road playfields. Pullman Transit will run additional nighttime transit service from 6 p.m. until midnight and will include the “A,” “I,” “J” and express buses. The Visitor Center Shuttle will run two hours prior to kick-off and will continue to run one and a half hours after the game. For more information, call Pullman Transit at (509) 332-6535.
UI fans can also take advantage of Park and Ride areas and use the Pullman Transit football shuttles for free.
WSU faculty and staff can consider the use of annual leave to depart work early, or plan to work an alternate or earlier shift. Departments are encouraged to be flexible with work schedules on this day, said Chris Boyan, WSU Parking and Transportation Services.
Disability parking areas on campus will not change. Additional disability parking will be available for game patrons on Wilson Road, west of Stadium Way, and in the Fine Arts Garage. A disability permit, placard or license plate is required. For more information, call Parking and Transportation Services at (509) 335-PARK (7275) or the WSU Visitor Center at (509) 335-8633.
WSU Parking and Transportation officials are also working on a comprehensive parking plan to accommodate both class-day and game-day needs. Some key parking lots around Martin Stadium will be closed all day to accommodate television crews, football support personnel and game vendors. For a complete list of lot closures and other game day parking conditions, a Web page has been established at http://www.wsu.edu/parking/battle.html.
