2009 Minnesota State Fair - Impact on University Traffic and Parking

The Minnesota State Fair begins Thursday, August 27 and runs through Monday, September 7. During this time, traffic will increase, parking may be tight, and access routes into the St. Paul campus will be limited. Consider alternate commuting options (carpool, bus, bike or walk).

If you need to drive to campus, please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the traffic control plan and the suggested parking alternatives in your area. BE SURE TO CARRY YOUR U CARD. You will need it to receive the University rate at public parking facilities.

Parking and Transportation Services and the University of Minnesota Police Department thank you for your patience and cooperation during the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. Our goal is to allow faculty, students, staff and visitors open access to campus while still providing a safe environment for the University community.

If you have questions or concerns regarding parking, please contact Parking and Transportation Services.
E-mail: pts@umn.edu
Phone: 612-626-7275

If you have questions or concerns about University access traffic control for the State Fair, please e-mail Lt. Troy Buhta, University of Minnesota Police Department, at buhta001@umn.edu.

If you have any problems or emergencies during the State Fair dates, please contct the Minnesota State Fair Chief of Police Art Blakey at 612-328-1106 or art.blakey@mnstatefair.org.

Thank you,
Bob Baker, Executive Director
Parking and Transportation Services

St. Paul Campus

Access to the northeast portion of the St. Paul campus will not be restricted this year. Security monitors will patrol the area.

State Fair Gates
The Minnesota State Fair will operate the Commonwealth/Dan Patch gate for access to the Fairgrounds as in previous years. State Fair pedestrian access and a bicycle "corral" will also be available at the Commonwealth/Dan Patch Avenue gate. The State Fair requires bike lane restrictions along Como Avenue. See the State Fair Web site for more details.

Late evening traffic after Grandstand events (about 11 p.m.) will be routed out of the Fairgrounds at two locations on campus.

• From the Randall Avenue gate, traffic may be routed west on Buford Avenue, then directed northbound on Cleveland Avenue.
• From the Commonwealth gate (#15), traffic will be moved west on Commonwealth, then directed southbound.

For access and general information about the Minnesota State Fair, please visit www.mnstatefair.org.

Contract Parking
Hangtag reciprocal parking on the St. Paul campus will not be available during the State Fair. Keycard reciprocal parking will be in effect for Gortner Avenue Ramp on a space available basis. If you need assistance with contract parking, please email parking@umn.edu by Monday, August 24.

Public Parking
Several parking alternatives have been arranged for faculty, staff and students.

Lot S101 (Commonwealth and Cleveland Avenues)
In effect weekdays, August 27-September 4:
- $2.50 daily carpool parking with U Card before 9 am
- $3.75 daily parking with a U Card before 9 am
- $8.00 event parking for the general public after 9 am
- Weekends/Labor Day rate is $8.00

Lot S104 (Buford & Randall Avenues)
In effect weekdays, Thursday, August 27 - Friday, September 4:
- $6.00 daily parking with U Card before 9 am
- $8.00 event parking for general public parking after 9 am
- Weekends and Labor Day rate is $8.00 all day
- CECC attendees will receive the University rate by identify themselves as a course attendee to the parking attendant, Monday-Friday, before 9 am, except Labor Day.
NOTE: The only access into the fairgrounds is through the Commonwealth gate (#15)

Gortner Avenue Ramp (Gortner and Fitch Avenues)
In effect weekdays, weekends, & Labor Day, August 27-September 7:
- $8.00 event parking all day
- Contract space will remain available

Lot SC153 (Commonwealth Avenue)
After 4:30 pm weekdays, August 27-September 7 and all day on weekends and Labor Day
- $8.00 event parking for the general public
- Contract space will remain available

Minneapolis Campus

Contract Parking
Hangtag reciprocal parking in Lot C66 at Como and 29th Avenues will NOT be available during the State Fair. Contract patrons will be re-located.

Public Parking
Beginning Thursday, August 27 at 6 am until 1 am on Tuesday, September 8, Gold Lot, Maroon Lot, Lot 37, Ski-U-Mah Lot and part of Northstar Lot will be reserved for State Fair patrons only. Evening and weekend state fair parking will also be available in the 4th Street Ramp, Minnesota Lot, and Lot 33.

Here are some daytime parking alternatives:

Lot 33
$2.50 daily carpool parking before 9 am
$3.75 daily parking until 4 pm (state fair use after 4 pm)

Oak Street Ramp (Ontario and Delaware Streets)
$6.00 off-peak parking before 7 am or after 2 pm
$3.00 per hour between 7 am and 2 pm ($12 maximum)

4th Street Ramp (4th Street and 18th Avenue)
$6.00 off-peak parking before 7 am
$3.00 per hour between 7 am and 2 pm ($12 maximum)
Note: public space for state fair use after 4 pm

East River Road Garage (385 East River Road)
$6.00 off-peak parking after 5.00 pm
$3.00 per hour before 4:30 pm ($12 maximum)

Weisman Art Museum Garage (333 East River Road)
$3.00 per hour - Hours at www.weisman.umn.edu/visiting/visiting.html

SHUTTLES
State Fair
During August 27 - September 7, many 45-foot motorcoaches, provided by Lorenz and other companies, will shuttle riders from various parking locations on the East Bank to the State Fair. The buses will run continuously from 8 am to midnight. For complete information on State Fair buses, go to http://www.mnstatefair.org/pages/park_ride.html.

Campus Shuttles
The Campus Connector shuttle will continue to transport riders from East and West Bank to the St. Paul, leaving the Transitway at Energy Park Drive and following Cleveland Avenue to the St. Paul campus. The schedule is as follows:
Through Sunday, August 30: Monday-Friday, 7 am - 6 pm, every 15 minutes
Monday, August 31: 7 am - 10 pm, every 15 minutes
Tuesday, September 1: 6 am - 9 pm, every 15 minutes
Wednesday, September 2: 7 am - 6 pm, every 15 minutes
Thursday, September 3: 7 am - 1 am, every 15 minutes
Friday, September 4: 7 - 8 am, every 15 minutes; 8 am - 6 pm, every 5 minutes; 6-10 pm, every 15 minutes
Saturday, September 5: 8 am - 6 pm, every 15 minutes
Sunday, September 6: 8:30 am - 3 pm, every 15 minutes; 3 pm - midnight, every 40 minutes
Labor Day Monday, September 7: 9:30 am - 9 pm, every 20 minutes

Circulators will not be running during this time period.

"MILK RUN" INFORMATION
The MN State Fair will hold the annual "Milk Run," sponsored by the Gopher Dairy Club, on Sunday, August 30, at 7:45 a.m. Short traffic delays may occur as the race winds through the St. Paul campus. If you have questions, please contact Theresa Weinfurtner at 651-288-4418 or Theresa.weinfurtner@mnstatefair.org.

If you have any problems or emergencies during the State Fair dates, please contact the Minnesota State Fair Chief of Police Art Blakey at 612-328-1106 or art.blakey@mnstatefair.org.