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Traffic, parking changes in store for Invesco Field
By Kevin Flynn, News Staff Writer Getting to events at Invesco Field at Mile High will be only slightly different than getting to Mile High Stadium next door. But the traffic plan worked out in part with residents in the surrounding neighborhoods does include some changes. For Denver Broncos games, the close-in lots immediately around the stadium won't be general public parking but rather will be pre-assigned to permit-holders. There also will be 250 spaces close in for disabled parking. There are 6,200 spaces on the stadium site and 17,600 spaces off-site for a total of 23,800. If you get a game ticket from a person with a permit, Denver police say you should also get the parking instructions that come with the permit. That's because the Broncos, the city and neighborhoods have worked out traffic patterns to those lots that may not be the shortest routes but will be the smoothest. Much traffic from the north that is headed to lots south of the stadium, for example, is being directed to the Eighth Avenue exit of I-25 instead of exits at 23rd Avenue or Colfax Avenue. The 19th Avenue southbound ramp from I-25 is closed on game day. An increasing number of fans have been using the Regional Transportation District's Broncos Ride service, which offers free parking at outlying park-n-ride lots and a round trip for $4. RTD is proposing an increase to $6, but it won't be in effect until next year if approved. Those buses will continue to use the close-in lots on the southeast corner of the stadium. Though not ready for this season, RTD also is extending its light rail line into the Central Platte Valley on the east side of the South Platte River. For the 2002 season, Broncos fans will be able to take the train to a station near the pedestrian walk from the Auraria-Pepsi Center parking lots. Most general public parking will be directed to the Auraria-Pepsi Center lots. There also are private lots in the area. Some improvements have been made to traffic flow. The 17th Avenue exit ramp northbound from Interstate 25 will reopen this season. Also, the Colorado Department of Transportation has completed two projects -- a direct parking lot entrance from Colfax Avenue at the Federal Boulevard interchange and a new southbound entrance ramp to I-25 from the Colfax Viaduct. CDOT also improved the lower Colfax ramp onto southbound I-25, which is used only after stadium events. Some traffic-flow restrictions remain in effect from last season: Clay Street north of the stadium, Decatur Street south of the Colfax Viaduct and West 17th Avenue west of Federal Boulevard are closed to fan traffic. About 20 city parking and zoning enforcers will patrol the stadium neighborhoods. Fans who park illegally are likely to find their vehicles towed. Officials expect that Mile High's demolition, which is scheduled to begin in January, will provide room for 1,400 more parking spaces. Contact Kevin Flynn at (303) 892-5247 or flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com.
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The Regional Transportation District offers a number of buses and shuttles to Broncos games. By next season, light-rail service will be extended to Invesco Field at Mile High. This year, the following services are available: BroncosRide travels from more than 30 park-and-ride lots to the stadium and returns immediately after the game. Cost is $4 round trip or $20 for a season pass. For information, call (303) 299-6000 and press 1-1-2. The Federal Shuttle picks up fans at BankOne at Lakeside Office Park, at Lincoln High School and at stops along Federal Boulevard. It runs every three minutes for two hours before game time. Return trips begin immediately after the game. Cost is $2 round trip or $12 for a season pass. Market Street Shuttle goes to the stadium from the Market Street station on the 16th Street Mall every three minutes starting two hours before game time and returns after the game. Cost is $2 round trip or $12 for a season pass. Auraria Shuttle goes from Seventh and Walnut streets to the stadium every three minutes starting two hours before the game and returns afterward. The cost is $1 round trip.For more information, contact RTD at 303-299-6000 or www.rtd-denver.com.
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