For Immediate Release

SDSU FALL 2006

TRAFFIC AND PARKING INFORMATION

SAN DIEGO (Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006) –San Diego State University today announced a comprehensive traffic and parking management plan for the first weeks of the fall 2006 semester. Classes begin Monday, August 28.

“The university has taken a number of steps to make getting to and from campus as convenient as possible for everyone,” said Debbie Richeson, director of auxiliary services for SDSU.  “They range from very visible and obvious things such as promoting use of the San Diego Trolley, to less visible measures such as implementing Web-based class registration for students, which cuts down the number of trips to campus students need to make at the start of the semester.”

SDSU again encourages students and visitors to take advantage of San Diego Trolley service to get to and from the campus.  Through a partnership between the Trolley and SDSU, subsidized semester transit passes are available to SDSU students at the Aztec Center ticket office for $113.  Individual trip tickets are available at automated kiosks at the SDSU Trolley station.

Also, the San Diego Trolley is extending nighttime service along the Green Line serving SDSU on a trial basis.  Starting Sept. 4, the new schedule will send the last eastbound train to SDSU from Old Town at 1 a.m. instead of the current 10:30 p.m. The last westbound train from campus will depart at 1:45 a.m., about two hours later than the current schedule.

For those who choose to drive, a crew of approximately 70 people – including university parking officers, city police department special event traffic controllers and contracted personnel from private companies – will be assigned to help direct traffic and facilitate parking.

SDSU has more than 14,000 parking spaces available for faculty, staff, students and visitors.  Parking permits are always required in campus lots. This year, student decal permits for the fall semester can be purchased for $135 from University Cashiers or at the Aztec Bookstore.

One-day visitor permits can be purchased by the parking information booth at the Chemical Science Laboratory, inside Parking Structure 5 (on levels 1-2), inside Parking Structure 6 (on levels 1-3) and inside Parking Structure 2 (on levels 1, 3, 4 and 5 after 4:30 p.m.) and in the W lot. For a map showing these locations, visit www.sdsu.edu.

SDSU Public Safety reports two parking changes this fall affecting student and visitor lots.

• T lot, located west of campus off Remington Road is temporarily closed.
• Level 3 of Parking Structure 4, also located on the west side of campus off Aztec Circle Drive, will now be designated as student parking.

SDSU Traffic and Parking Tips:

1. Take the Trolley:  Park your car for free at any of the convenient trolley stops throughout San Diego and ride directly to campus.  Trolley schedules, fares, maps and other information are available at www.sdcommute.com.

2. Arrive Early: If you choose to drive, arrive as early as possible, especially for classes before noon. 

3. Use Alternative Traffic Routes: During peak hours from 7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., consider using these alternatives to the College Avenue exit off Interstate 8:

• Take the 70th Street exit off Interstate 8. Take 70th Street south to El Cajon Boulevard, and turn right onto El Cajon Boulevard. Turn right onto Montezuma Road to the access roads for Parking Structures 3 and 6.
• Use State Route 94, exiting at College Avenue and approaching campus from the south. Take College Avenue to Montezuma Road and turn right or left, depending on your destination.
• Take the Fairmont Road Exit from Interstate 8. Take Fairmont south and merge onto Montezuma Road. Turn left on 55th Street to enter Parking Structure 5 beneath the track and field complex.

4. Plan Ahead: Students are encouraged to plan their trips to campus ahead of time in order to make the fewest trips to and from campus.  Figure out which lot and traffic route will be the most timely and convenient if driving.  Examine the trolley schedule for the best departure time from your location.  

5. Park on the East Side of Campus: If arriving on campus after 8 a.m. during the first weeks of the fall semester, park east of College Avenue in Lot C or D or in Parking Structure 3 or 6.

6. Ride the Bus: The street-level bus plaza above the San Diego State trolley stop is served by Metropolitan Transit Service bus routes 11/11A, 13, 115, 936 and 955. Discounted transit passes are available at the Aztec Center ticket office. For more information, call 1-800-COMMUTE.

7. Car Pool: Campus staff and students can save on gas and parking expenses by joining a car pool. For a shared parking permit, register with Ridelink at www.ridelink.org, or pick up an application at the Aztec Center Information Booth.

8. Park and Pedal: A favorite place to park off-campus and bike to SDSU is off Montezuma Road toward El Cajon Boulevard. The bike ride is approximately one mile on level streets. City streets immediately surrounding the campus are designated “B” parking zones and require a city-issued permit.

9. Use the Campus Escort Service: The Campus Escort Service is available from dusk to dawn, and can be accessed from parking lots and other campus locations. From campus, dial 4-6659 for the campus escort service. There is no charge to dial from a campus pay phone or campus emergency phone.

10. Information for Visitors: The Parking Information Booth can help direct visitors to open pay parking lots and provide campus directions. The booth is located on the first floor of the Chemical Sciences Building on the corner of College Avenue and Canyon Crest Drive.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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**Please direct all questions regarding parking to SDSU Parking Services at (619) 594-6671

Media: Please contact Gina Speciale regarding this news release at speciale@mail.sdsu.edu