FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU Fall 2004 Semester Traffic and Parking Information

CONTACT: Aaron Hoskins, ahoskins@mail.sdsu.edu
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-1119

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, August 26, 2004 – SAN DIEGO, Thursday, August 25, 2004 – SDSU officials will execute a comprehensive traffic and parking management plan for the first weeks of class for the fall semester, which starts Monday, August 30.

A crew of approximately 70 people, including SDSU parking officers, San Diego Police Department special event traffic controllers, and contracted personnel from private companies, will be on hand to help direct traffic, facilitate parking and provide information and guidance for those coming to campus.

New parking information for the fall 2004 semester includes:

New and Reopened Lots

W Lot (Student and Faculty/Staff), located west of Storm Hall on the west side of campus with approximately 380 spaces, has been reopened following Trolley construction.

Q Lot (Visitor/Metered), a new, 44-space lot located west of Parking Structure 2 on the south side of campus, is now open.

Closed Lots

J Lot (Faculty/Staff), located south of Cox Arena with about 90 spaces, will permanently close Sept. 4 in preparation for construction of the new Student Health Services building.

Valet Service

To expand SDSU’s parking capacity during peak periods, free valet parking services will be offered in Parking Structure 5 and W Lot on the west side of campus, and in C and D lots, located east of College Avenue off Alvarado Road.

Parking and Traffic Tips

SDSU offers the following tips for students, employees and visitors to the campus:

1. Plan your Travel Time and Arrive Early
It is always advisable to arrive as early as possible, especially for classes starting before noon.

2. Use Alternatives to College Avenue
Consider the following alternatives to using the College Avenue exit from Interstate 8 during the peak morning hours (7:30 a.m.- 10 a.m.):

· Use the Interstate 8 exit at 70th Street. Take 70th Street south to El Cajon Boulevard; turn right onto El Cajon Boulevard. Turn right on Montezuma Road to the access roads for parking structures 3 and 6.

· Use State Route 94. Exit at College Avenue and approach campus from the south. Take College Avenue to Montezuma Road; turn right or left, depending upon your destination.

· Exit Fairmont Road from Interstate 8. Take Fairmont south and merge onto Montezuma Road. Turn left on 55th Street to enter Parking Structure 5, underneath the track and field complex.

3. Park on the East Side of Campus
If arriving on campus after 8 a.m. during the first several weeks, the best option is to park east of College Avenue, in lots C or D or in parking structures 3 or 6, the newest structure. The Red and Black Shuttle system is available for transportation to the west side of campus between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. during the semester.

4. Parking Permits Always Required
Decal permits for the semester can be purchased for $117 from cashiers or at the Aztec Bookstore. One day visitor permits are available outside the parking information booth at the Chemical Science Laboratory, inside Parking Structure 5 (levels 1-2), inside Parking Structure 6 (levels 1-3), and inside Parking Structure 2 (levels 1, 3, 4, and 5).

5. Park-and-Bike
Drive to an area near the campus, park on a city street and then ride a bike onto campus. Be careful, since the city streets immediately surrounding the campus are a "B" Parking zone, which requires a city-issued permit. The best place to park-and-bike is off Montezuma Road toward El Cajon Boulevard. The bike ride is approximately one mile, and it is level.

6. Use Public Transportation
Riding the San Diego Transit bus (1-800-COMMUTE) is a great idea, and subsidized bus passes are available to students at the Aztec Center box office.

7. Carpool with Friends
Although a carpool with friends may not be feasible throughout the semester, try it for the first several weeks. Not only will it save on gas, but parking spaces will be saved as well.

8. Use the Campus Escort Service
To protect your safety, use the Escort Service. This service is available from dusk to dawn, and can be accessed to and from all campus locations, including parking lots. From campus call 4-6659. You also can use any campus pay phone (no charge) or Emergency telephone.

9. Visitors Use Parking Information Booth
Located on the first floor of the Chemical Sciences Building (on the corner of College Avenue and Canyon Crest Drive), the parking information booth can help direct visitors to open parking lots and give directions to campus locations.

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