Heinz Field Management Issues Advisory for Sunday's Steelers Game
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Fans Asked to Arrive Early, Bring Terrible Towels for Pre-Game Tribute Ceremony
* *The Steelers and Heinz Field management remind fans attending Sunday's Steelers season opener against the Houston Texans about some traffic, access and security matters.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. and fans are encouraged toarrive earlyto allow enough time to pass through stadium security so they can participate in a special pre-game tribute to former SteelersErnie HolmesandDwight White, and former Steelers broadcasterMyron Cope, each of whom passed away earlier this year. All fans entering Heinz Field will be subject to full pat downs.
The Coca-Cola Great Hall and the South Plaza (Gates A and B) will open at 11 a.m., approximately two hours prior to kickoff. Gate C (access to the seating bowl, club lounges and suites) will also open at 11 a.m.
Fans are also reminded of the following stadium policies:
· Coolers, bags, backpacks and large purses (larger than 8½ by 11) will be prohibited. Small purses, fanny packs, small camera cases and binocular cases and diaper bags will be permitted, however, all bags are subject to inspection. All bags that do not pass security must be returned to vehicles. In addition, Thermoses will not be permitted in the stadium.
· Media must present identification and check-in prior to being admitted to the stadium.
· Media planning on exiting and re-entering the stadium at any point on game day must have their credential "scanned-out" before exiting in order for it to be valid for re-entry.
Heinz Field management recommends that all fans lock their vehicles and keep personal belongings out of sight before entering the stadium. Fans are advised to not leave valuables in their vehicles during games.
In addition, oversized vehicles are prohibited from traveling around Heinz Field on Steelers game day.
*Counterfeit Tickets
The Steelers and Heinz Field management are warning fans to watch out for counterfeit tickets when attempting to make a purchase from scalpers. Fans looking to purchase tickets are advised to only purchase tickets from the Steelers ticket office or access the team's new online TicketExchange service by logging on to www.steelers.com/ticketexchange or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Fans are advised not to purchase paper tickets printed through the TicketExchange service from scalpers because of the possibility of counterfeiting.
Parking
Reserved, pre-sold parking lots around the stadium open at 8 a.m. to game day parkers. Tailgating is permitted in the pre-sold lots surrounding the stadium. Reedsdale Street eastbound, via the West End Bridge, will be opened for the game providing access to pre-sold Gold Lot 1, Red 5 Garage and Red 7 Lots.
The Gateway West, Green 30 (future casino) Parking Lot is permanently closed to the public.
Fans without pre-sold parking and cash parkers arriving after mid-morning (including all of those that previously parked in Green Lot 30), should utilize parking areas in the Golden Triangle, Station Square, one of the Port Authority's regional Park & Ride shuttles or the Allegheny Center garage.
Limited parking will be available on two floors of the six-level Grant Street Transportation Center located on Grant Street between Penn and Liberty Avenues. The center will officially open Sept. 29, after which, all 911 spaces in the facility will be available for game day parking.
For $5.00, convenient Golden Triangle parking is available at nine (9) Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages, the Mon Wharf and the Convention Center. The Fifth Avenue Place garage also provides parking for $5.00.
From Downtown parking lots, fans can access Heinz Field via the Ft. Duquesne Bridge walk and sidewalks on the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Fans seeking front door service can park in the First Avenue Garage or the new Grant Street Transportation Center (at Eleventh Street) and catch a shuttle bus to Art Rooney Avenue near Gate A at Heinz Field (see below).
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*Construction Traffic Alerts
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*Pre-Game Traffic
From the East:
· The connector fromBlvd. of the AlliestoI-579is closed. Motorists are recommended to follow the marked detour.
From the North:
· The ramp from North Route 65 to North Shore Drive is closed. Motorists should follow the detour toBeaver Avenue *southbound.
*From the South/West:
· North Shore Driveadjacent to the casino from theWest End BridgeandBeaver Avenueis restricted to two lanes.
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*Post-Game Traffic
Heading East:
· Heading east to Oakland, motorists are recommended to followBigelow Blvd. *from downtown.
*Heading North:
· The HOV lane (northbound) will be closed. A recommended detour is to takeRoute 65 SouthfromBeaver Avenue. Follow detour signs from theReedsdale Street(westbound)underpasstoChateau Street. Take the U-turn toBeaver Avenueto accessRoute 65 South.
Heading South/West:
· Motorists heading toRoute 60and* Route 50 should follow the Stuben Street detour due to closures on the route toMain Street.
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*Park & Ride Shuttles
Port Authority Shuttle Buses from the First Avenue Garage (98F) and the new Grant Street Transportation Center via the Strip District (98D) will operate two hours before kickoff and 45 minutes after the game. Fares are $1.50 (from Golden Triangle to Heinz Field) or $2.00 (from the Strip District) one way. All shuttle buses will travel across the Clemente Bridge. Stops include Liberty Avenue across from the Wood Street "T" Station, Liberty Avenue at Heinz Hall and Sixth Street at Ft. Duquesne Blvd.
Fans can board the "T" at the First Avenue Station and ride free to and from the Gateway Center Station.
Four regional Park & Ride shuttles, to and from Heinz Field (one each for the north, east, south and west), are available for fans who want front door service. The rates are competitive at $2.00 each way in Zone 1 and $2.60 each way in Zone 2. These shuttles provide quick door-to-door service between their free parking lots and Heinz Field.
All regional shuttles will operate four trips from their respective lots beginning two hours and thirty minutes (2½ hours) before kickoff. Riders will be dropped off on North Shore Drive at Art Rooney Avenue near Gate A.
Four trips will return to each respective lot beginning 20 minutes after the end of the game with the last trip departing 45 minutes after the game's completion. Return trips will depart Heinz Field from West General Robinson Street between Art Rooney Avenue and Tony Dorsett Drive.
Riders seeking the nearest Park and Ride shuttle should contact Port Authority Customer Service at (412) 442-2000.
The Gateway Clipper Fleet Steelers shuttle boats will operate from Station Square.
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