As the LSU football season continues, LSUPD Chief Marshall Walters explains the importance of having a plan for navigating campus and surrounding areas both before and after the game.
Nearly 100,000 people attend LSU game days for SEC games, and the LSUPD works together to create optimal ways to direct traffic promptly.
Walters explains that LSUPD has to work with the infrastructure of campus and while he understands that waiting in long lines of traffic can be difficult, being patient and aware of surroundings is key to making sure the flow of traffic is maintained.
Walters urges those not within walking distance to carpool to help lessen the congestion of traffic on and around campus.
“We recommend carpooling,” Walters said. “The best way to improve traffic is to either add roads or reduce the number of cars on the road. We recognize the most efficient way to do that in the short term is to reduce the number of cars.”
LSU recently announced the closing of Highland Road during game days. This change is a direct response to the two shootings that occurred on campus since September. One of the shootings injuring two people.
Walters explained that this is an attempt to make the area safer for pedestrians and students who live near Highland Road.
“This is the way we operated pregame traffic before COVID,” Walters said. “When COVID hit our crowds diminished, so we moved away from doing the permit check road restrictions. What will happen is around 2:30 p.m., around four hours from kickoff, Highland Road will be inaccessible to those without game day parking permits.”
The stretch of Highland that will be closed is between Parker Avenue on the south end and West Roosevelt on the north end. According to Walters, Highland Road is one of the busiest pedestrian corridors.
Game day traffic is not only about navigating automobiles, it is also about pedestrians. Walters urges students who are walking to and from the stadium to be aware of their surroundings, not to walk in the streets and to adhere to any guidelines that would be followed on a normal day on campus.
LSUPD urges students to check their emails regarding a message they sent out detailing everything they believe students and parents should know regarding game day traffic. Walters emphasized that those trying to access Ben Hur must access it from the Burbank access area, not Nicholson Drive.
“The biggest thing that I try to encourage people to do is to park pregame based on where you need to go postgame,” Walters said. “Just remember that when you’re parking and I think it’ll make you have a much better postgame experience.”
To get more information on LSU game day traffic, visit the LSU Athletics website which details parking and traffic information.
