PITTSBURGH — The Steelers and Heinz Field management remind fans attending Sunday’s Steelers game against the Buffalo Bills about some traffic, access and security matters.

Kickoff for Sunday’s home opener is 1 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early to allow enough time to pass through stadium security. All fans entering Heinz Field will be subject to full pat downs.

The Coca-Cola Great Hall and the South Plaza (Gates A and B) will open at 11 a.m. — approximately two hours before kickoff. Gate C (access to the seating bowl, club lounges and suites) will also open at 11 a.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. A number of counterfeit tickets have been sold outside of recent local college and professional sporting events. Fans looking to purchase tickets are advised to only purchase tickets from the Steelers ticket office or access the team’s new 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.  

Parking

Fans without pre-sold parking and cash parkers arriving after late morning, should utilize parking areas in the Golden Triangle, Station Square or one of the Port Authority’s regional Park and Ride Lots.

For $5.00, convenient Golden Triangle parking is available at eight (8) Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages, the Mon Wharf and the Convention Center. The Fifth Avenue Place garage also provides parking for $5.00.

From Downtown parking lots, fans can access Heinz Field via sidewalks on the Roberto Clemente Bridge as well as the Port Authority shuttle buses from the First Avenue Garage and Strip District (see below). The FT. DUQUESNE BRIDGE WALK IS CLOSED because of Point Park construction.

Reserve, pre-sold parking lots around the stadium open at 8 a.m. 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.

Public Transportation

Port Authority shuttle buses from First Ave. (98F) and the Strip District (98D) will operate two hours before kickoff and 45 minutes after the game. Fares are $1.25 (from Golden Triangle to Heinz Field) or $1.75 one way.  All buses 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.

Fans can board the “T” at the First Avenue Station and ride free to and from the Gateway Center Station.

Four regional bus routes, to and from Heinz Field, one each for the north, east, south and west are available for fans who choose not to drive. The rates are competitive at $1.75 each way in Zone 1 and $2.25 each way in Zone 2. These routes provide quick door-to-door service between their free parking lots and Heinz Field.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet Steelers shuttles will operate from Station Square. 

All regional routes will operate four trips from their respective lots beginning two hours and thirty minutes (2½ hours) before kickoff.  Riders will be dropped off on North Shore Drive at Art Rooney Avenue near Gate A.

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.

 Riders seeking the nearest Park and Ride lots should contact Port Authority Customer Service at (412) 442-2000.

Stanwix Street Closed

STANWIX STREET IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE IS CLOSED due to construction.

Post-Game Traffic

Fans from the east are reminded that I-376 IS OPEN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

Police will operate three lanes of the West End Bridge southbound for vehicles exiting the game.  Fans exiting east to I-376 should use the left lane (third lane from the right). Fans exiting to Route 50 via Route 60 should also use the left lane. Fans exiting south to I-279 and routes 51 and 19 should use the right lanes.

Also, after the game, Allegheny Avenue will be northbound only, from Reedsdale Street to Ridge Avenue, with the right lane leading to the Ft. Duquesne Bridge only. Further, the right curb lane of General Robinson Street eastbound from Mazeroski Way to Federal Street, will be an express lane to the Clemente Bridge only.

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