CLEVELAND — City officials have put together a new safety plan with two focuses: Traffic and tailgating.
The first portion of this plan involves keeping the pedestrian bridge closed indefinitely. The pedestrian bridge is closed throughout the year except for the 10 Browns home games.
By keeping the bridge closed, city officials say the Division of Traffic Engineering will be able to implement a safer pedestrian route to FirstEnergy Stadium.
Signage will be posted to notify the public of the bridge closure and to redirect them toward alternate routes along E. 9th Street or W. 3rd Street.
To access the stadium from the Huntington parking garage, fans should exit and head toward W. 3rd Street then head north to the southwest and northwest gates of the stadium.
To access the stadium from Willard parking garage, fans are encouraged to exit the garage and head toward E. 9th Street, then toward Erieside Avenue then to the southeast and northeast gates of the stadium.
In addition to the closure of the pedestrian bridge, the Division of Traffic Engineering has redesigned various traffic control measures to improve safety and walkability during game day.
Alternative traffic route: W. 25th Street, Superior Avenue, Prospect Avenue, E. 14th Street and E. 18th Street will now be a part of the game day traffic plan with added signage and signal timing changes.
Redirection of traffic along the Marginal roadways: Traffic will be able to access I-90 at E. 55th. Traffic will not be permitted to access E. 9th Street from the Marginal so as to not conflict with pedestrian traffic.
Pedestrian fencing: Additional fencing will be added to prohibit pedestrians from walking onto the Shoreway or Shoreway ramps.
Police officers and traffic controllers: The following intersections will now be staffed with traffic controllers:
- W. 9th Street and St. Clair Avenue
- W. 9th Street and Superior Avenue
- W. 6th Street and St. Clair Avenue
- W. 6th Street and Superior Avenue
- W. 25th Street and Detroit
- All Muni Lot access driveways to and from the Shoreway
In addition, all driveway access points to North Marginal Road from the Coast Guard Station and Burke Lakefront Airport will be staffed.
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TAILGATING
When it comes to tailgating, the following rules will be in effect at all home games.
Lot operation and fees: The Muni Lot opens at 7 a.m. for all regular and pre-season weekend home games. Vehicles are not permitted to enter the premises before that time. The fee to park in the Muni Lot is $20 per space. You will be charged for all spaces you occupy. Cleveland Police will not permit vehicles to line up or stage on the Shoreway before game time.
Alcohol and safety: Open containers, consumption of alcohol and public intoxication are all prohibited in the Muni Lot. If you plan to consume alcohol during an sport event, police advise ensuring you have a designated driver.
In addition:
- No open pit fires are allowed
- Propane grills only are allowed
- No alcohol
- Saving spaces is prohibited
- You will be charged for all parking spaces that you occupy
- No in & out privileges
- All litters must be put in trash cans
- Vandalism of any kind will not be tolerated
- Crossing the Shoeway is prohibited
- No private latrines allowed
BREAKDOWN : 2014 Cleveland Browns schedule
Sanitation: There will be 50 portable restrooms, 75 trash cans and three Dumpsters in the Muni Lot during all regular season games. Private latrines are strictly prohibited. Authorities ask all to make sure trash is disposed of properly before leaving the lot.
Parking: Restrictions are put in place in downtown for each home football game. These restrictions are in effect for three hours before each game and until two hours after its completion. Look for neon signs in areas impacted by parking restrictions. Violators will be ticketed and towed. All associated fines and fees to have an automobile released must be done at the One Stop Vehicle Impound Center located at 3040 Quigley Road.
No tailgating is permitted in the Willard parking garage behind City Hall.