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The Buffalo Bills have announced an important change to the egress process for traffic leaving Ralph Wilson Stadium following home games.
Beginning with the Bills game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs this coming Sunday, November 3, 2013, a portion of Big Tree Road (Route 20A) will be closed to westbound traffic during postgame only.
At the start of the fourth quarter, approximately 3:30 p.m., Big Tree Road (Route 20A) will be closed to westbound traffic and will remain closed for approximately two hours or until traffic clears. For a game estimated to end at approximately 4:00 p.m., it is anticipated that the road will remain closed to westbound traffic from 3:30 p.m. until about 5:30 p.m. or until traffic clears.
"We embarked on an extensive traffic study and the findings led us to this change to our postgame egress process as a response to feedback we have received from season ticket holders and fans, surrounding neighbors, and from those team members involved with parking cars and directing traffic," said Andy Major, Bills Vice President of Event Operations and Guest Experience. "One of the top issues from our fans regarding the game day experience has been the delays in leaving the stadium postgame and, quite frankly, it's been a challenge. But with the tremendous input and assistance from various government agencies with a working knowledge of traffic flow, local law enforcement and additional groups, we're confident that this will be a very positive step in that process."
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The change is part of an effort to improve the traffic ingress and egress patterns at Ralph Wilson Stadium and the surrounding area. The Buffalo Bills have worked extensively with Erie County Highways - Department of Public Works, Erie County Sheriff's Office, Orchard Park Police, NYS Department of Transportation, Erie County Emergency Services, Windom Fire Department, NITTEC, Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council and an experienced and industry-respected traffic study consultant to study and recommend changes to the parking lots and traffic patterns on game days.
The adjustment will continue to allow for the safe egress of pedestrian traffic in utilizing the shoulders of both sides of Big Tree Road (Route 20A). This will also allow the Erie County Sheriff to safely open and use both lanes for eastbound traffic from Drive One on Big Tree Road (Route 20A), toward California Road and Route 219. Fans parking their cars in Lot 1, Lot A, Fieldhouse Lot or in the surrounding private lots along this route should follow proper signage and security instruction to exit parking lots onto Big Tree Road (Route 20A) in an eastbound direction only.
Fans parking cars in the private lots west of the pedestrian crosswalk at Drive One on Big Tree Road (Route 20A) will be directed west toward Abbott Road to avoid conflicts with the pedestrian and vehicle egress from Drive One and Regional Drive on Big Tree Road. Other vehicles parking in the private lots east of Drive One on Big Tree Road (Route 20A) will be directed east toward California Road and Route 219.
Fans will see signage posted for detours and directional information for those vehicles traveling in the area.
"This is another step in our continued effort to improve the game day experience for all fans and the parking and traffic operation is under our continuous review," Major added. "We have seen a great improvement in our parking lots with fan behavior and cleanliness this season and we continue to encourage fans to tailgate responsibly."
