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The first home game of 2012 was a great success on the field as the Gamecocks defeated ECU 48-10. However, we received some feedback on certain gameday issues, including parking and traffic flow in and out of the newly renovated former Farmer's Market area and it is important to us to address these issues.
We have had meetings and discussions this week involving several groups, including athletics and university operations, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and University Police, to evaluate and work on improving these issues. Several notes have emerged from these meetings:
-Traffic patterns are being evaluated; crews will adjust patterns as necessary on gameday to move traffic as quickly and efficiently as possible. Before the game, three lanes on Bluff Rd. are northbound, with the leftmost lane turning on to Stan Spears Rd. (formerly named National Guard Rd.) If you miss the turn on to Stan Spears Rd., you may also enter the former Farmer's Market via the next left turn into the entrance by Bojangle's.
-Parking attendants will be stationed on Stan Spears Rd. checking parking passes for the former Farmer's Market and Armory parking lots to direct cars to the proper location as quickly as possible.
-Please display your parking permit prior to approaching the parking attendants to help them direct traffic to the appropriate location as quickly as possible. NOTE: New this season, in cooperation with local law enforcement and the SCHP for better pedestrian safety and EMS response, there are NO PARKING signs on Stan Spears Rd./National Guard Road. Aside from season parking passes, the only parking available by turning on to Stan Spears Rd. is a limited amount of gameday parking in the rear of the former Farmer's Market for $40. There is no free parking on Stan Spears Rd.
-All accessible entry gates will be staffed from six hours prior to kick-off until all traffic is cleared.
-New sidewalks border the former Farmer's Market on Bluff Rd. These sidewalks are the preferred location for pedestrian traffic due to safety and traffic flow concerns. Please use the sidewalks wherever possible, avoiding walking on Bluff Rd. and only crossing Bluff Rd. at designated areas.
-Peak traffic times tend to be approximately 2.5 hours prior to kick-off. Arriving as early as possible (the former Farmer's Market lot opens six hours prior to kick-off) will help fans avoid congestion at peak times.
Please review prohibited items and activity in South Carolina Athletics tailgating areas. As a reminder, pets are not allowed in any athletics facilities (service animals excepted) and there is no tobacco use in or within 25 feet of university buildings - this includes Shed 14 and the restroom buildings in the newly renovated Farmer's Market. The full policies are available via GamecocksOnline.com:
Gameday Information | Gameday Parking
Fans may use the Gameday Text Help Line: Text "USC", your issue and location to 69050. Assistance is available two hours before kickoff and one hour after the game. Please include the parking lot, space number, and description of the problem. Fans in the former Farmers Market may also visit the Guest Services tent located in Lexington Medical Center Gamecock Village.
As always, we welcome any and all feedback, which is how we improve all of our operations. There is a button on GamecocksOnline.com for fans to send feedback via email about any topic, including game day. The button is on the right hand side of the page with an arrow that says "Feedback." You can also share feedback by calling the Game Day Hotline at 803.777.7784.
