Heinz Field Advisory for Thursday's Steelers Game

Heinz Field Management Issues Advisory for Thursday Night's Steelers Game
 
 
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Fans Recommended to Arrive Early to Beat Game Day Traffic *
*Steelers Game Day Quick Tips
 
  Fans Recommended to Arrive Early to Beat Game Day Traffic;
Asked to Donate to the Salvation Army*
 
The Steelers and Heinz Field management remind fans attending Thursday night's Steelers game against the Cincinnati Bengals about some traffic, access and security matters.
 
Kickoff for the game is at 8:15 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time to beat the traffic and pass through stadium security. Early arriving fans will be able to enjoy live entertainment in the Coca-Cola Great Hall, on the West Main Concourse, and outside the stadium along Art Rooney Avenue and on the Great Lawn. All fans entering Heinz Field will be subject to full pat downs.
 
The Salvation Armywill kick off its annual Kettle Campaign at the game. Volunteers will collect donations in the Army's traditional red kettles at all stadium gates, in the Coca-Cola Great Hall and on the West concourse.  Please be generous and help those in need this winter.  Fans unable to attend the game can contribute by visiting Steelers Salvation Army Collection.
 
The Coca-Cola Great Hall and the South Plaza (Gates A and B) will open at 5 p.m., approximately three hours prior to kickoff.  Gate C (access to the seating bowl, club lounges and suites) will open at 6 p.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 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. 
 
 
Construction Traffic Alerts
 
PennDot, the Pittsburgh city police and other partners are working with the Steelers and Heinz Field management to facilitate event access and to provide tips that will help with your game day commute:
 
Pre-Game Traffic
From the North Rte 65:
•   The ramp from North Route 65 to North Shore Drive is closed. Motorists should follow the detour to Beaver Avenuesouthbound. 
 
From the South/West:
•   North Shore Drive adjacent to the casino from theWest End BridgeandBeaver Avenueis restricted to one lane.
 
Post-Game Traffic
Heading South/West:
•   There is now a new traffic pattern at the south end of the West End Bridge.  Traffic using the West End Bridge headed to:
•   East I-376 and to North Rte 60 and Rte 50, should now use the RIGHT lane; and traffic to 
•   South I-279 and Rte 51, should now use the two LEFT lanes.
 
•   Motorists heading to Route 60 andRoute 50should follow theStuben Streetdetour due to closures on the route to Main Street.
 
Heading North to I-279:
•   The HOV lane (northbound) will be closed. A recommended detour is to take Route 65 South from Beaver Avenue. Follow detour signs from the Reedsdale Street (westbound) underpass to Chateau Street. Take the U-turn to Beaver Avenue to access Route 65 South.
 
Heading East:
•   Heading east to Oakland, motorists are recommended to follow Bigelow Blvd.from downtown. 
 
 
Parking
 
Reserved, pre-sold parking lots around the stadium open at 3 p.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 late afternoon (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.
 
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 Golden Triangle parking garages and Gateway "T" station, fans can enjoy a pleasant walk to 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).
 
 
Park & Ride from the Golden Triangle Garages with Convenient Bus Shuttles 
Want to minimize walking? If you park in the Golden Triangle, you can ride on a Shuttle Bus (for only $1.50 per person, each way). Shuttles operate two hours before kickoff and 45 minutes after the game. All shuttles 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. At Heinz Field, Shuttles stop at Art Rooney Avenue near Gate "A."
Consider two garages with convenient access and Shuttles:
•       First Avenue Garage – from EAST via I-376 (westbound) use Exit 1D to Second Avenue; and from SOUTH/WEST via I-376 (eastbound) use Exit 1C. Shuttle begins adjacent to garage.
 
•       (NEW THIS YEAR)The Grant Street Transportation Center Garage – from SOUTH/WEST and NORTH via I-279 use Exit 6C (10th Street Bypass/Convention Center) to 11th Street. Shuttle stops on 11th Street at Penn Avenue (adjacent to Convention Center).
 
Regional Park & Ride Shuttles 
 
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:
 
• 13S Ross Park and Ride – from North I-279, take exit 12 (Perrysville);
 
• 68S Monroeville – East Busway (Mall);
 
 
 
• 51 S Century III – Large Park and Ride; and
 
• 28S West Busway – Moon (University Blvd.)
 
 
These shuttles provide quick door-to-door service between their free parking lots and Heinz Field. Riders will be dropped off on North Shore Drive at Art Rooney Avenue near Gate A. 
 
Shuttle rates are competitive ($2.00 to $2.60 per person, each way).
 
All regional shuttles will operate four trips from their respective lots beginning two hours and thirty minutes (2½ hours) before kickoff. 
 
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.
 
 For more information, contact Port Authority Customer Service at (412) 442-2000.
 
 
Station Square Boat Shuttles
 
Park at Station Square ($8.00) and ride the Gateway Clipper Fleet Steelers shuttle boats ($5.00 per person, each way).     
 
 
 
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