The full press release from the Gainesville Police Department:
GAINESVILLE, Fla.--Public Safety Officials with the City of Gainesville and University of Florida are expected to ensure the safety of all Gainesville-area residents and visitors, especially on UF Football Game days. This year, officials are making changes to the traffic flow of West University Avenue to ensure the highest level of safety to everyone in the area.
Because of recent tragic events that have occurred both within the US and abroad, local officials have decided to be proactive and offer the highest level of safety to fans enjoying UF home games by closing several blocks of W. University Avenue between 17th Street and 22nd Street to vehicular traffic. The closures will begin approximately three hours before kickoff and will conclude approximately two hours after game time.
To prepare motorists for the change, these closures will be announced during the week before each game in traditional media and social media. Additionally, variable message signs will be placed along W. University Avenue at key intersections to notify motorists of the closure.
Gainesville Fire-Rescue will have EMS personnel available in the pedestrian area, and City of Gainesville Public Works will also have additional Parking Enforcement personnel on-hand to address any parking issues.
Anyone who normally transits this area on game days should refer to the detour maps to plan his or her routes accordingly, allowing extra travel time as needed. Anyone who is not attending game day activities should avoid this area to reduce delays.
The plan has been developed with input from the Gainesville Police Department, City of Gainesville Public Works, Gainesville Fire Rescue, University of Florida Police Department, UF Administration, University Athletic Association, and has been reviewed by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The closures will be as follows:
Three hours before kickoff, West University Avenue will be CLOSED between Gale Lemerand Drive and NW 17th Street.
* Eastbound traffic will be diverted on NW 22nd Street to either 5th or 8th Avenue and then back to NW 17th Street.
* Westbound traffic will be diverted on NW 17th Street to either 5th or 8th Avenue and then back to NW 22nd Street.
* Fans with credentials to enter the O'Connell Center parking lot or the North Lawn will be able to access those areas from the west on University Avenue.
* Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 1-DIS (disabled parking) must be accessed from the west on University Avenue.
* Lot NRV, Lot M, Lot M-DIS (disabled parking), Lot 12 and Lot 12-DIS (disabled parking) must be accessed from the east on University Avenue.
* A right-turn-only east bound lane will be open for vehicles EXITING UF Campus from Fletcher Drive onto University Avenue.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.--Public Safety Officials with the City of Gainesville and University of Florida are expected to ensure the safety of all Gainesville-area residents and visitors, especially on UF Football Game days. This year, officials are making changes to the traffic flow of West University Avenue to ensure the highest level of safety to everyone in the area.
Because of recent tragic events that have occurred both within the US and abroad, local officials have decided to be proactive and offer the highest level of safety to fans enjoying UF home games by closing several blocks of W. University Avenue between 17th Street and 22nd Street to vehicular traffic. The closures will begin approximately three hours before kickoff and will conclude approximately two hours after game time.
To prepare motorists for the change, these closures will be announced during the week before each game in traditional media and social media. Additionally, variable message signs will be placed along W. University Avenue at key intersections to notify motorists of the closure.
Gainesville Fire-Rescue will have EMS personnel available in the pedestrian area, and City of Gainesville Public Works will also have additional Parking Enforcement personnel on-hand to address any parking issues.
Anyone who normally transits this area on game days should refer to the detour maps to plan his or her routes accordingly, allowing extra travel time as needed. Anyone who is not attending game day activities should avoid this area to reduce delays.
The plan has been developed with input from the Gainesville Police Department, City of Gainesville Public Works, Gainesville Fire Rescue, University of Florida Police Department, UF Administration, University Athletic Association, and has been reviewed by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The closures will be as follows:
Three hours before kickoff, West University Avenue will be CLOSED between Gale Lemerand Drive and NW 17th Street.
* Eastbound traffic will be diverted on NW 22nd Street to either 5th or 8th Avenue and then back to NW 17th Street.
* Westbound traffic will be diverted on NW 17th Street to either 5th or 8th Avenue and then back to NW 22nd Street.
* Fans with credentials to enter the O'Connell Center parking lot or the North Lawn will be able to access those areas from the west on University Avenue.
* Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 1-DIS (disabled parking) must be accessed from the west on University Avenue.
* Lot NRV, Lot M, Lot M-DIS (disabled parking), Lot 12 and Lot 12-DIS (disabled parking) must be accessed from the east on University Avenue.
* A right-turn-only east bound lane will be open for vehicles EXITING UF Campus from Fletcher Drive onto University Avenue.
