By Tommy Shilling, Code Enforcement Supervisor
Texas A&M home football games attract some of the largest crowds in the country. For the thousands of fans flocking to Kyle Field for Saturday’s College Football Playoff game, parking will present a formidable challenge, especially in the nearby Southside neighborhood.
Here are some essential tips to ensure your game day experience runs smoothly, including a map of the best traffic routes to take after the game.
1. On-Street Parking
The most common game day violations include facing traffic, blocking fire hydrants and intersections, and parking too close to stop signs and in no-parking zones. Those are violations of state law and are towable offenses.
If your vehicle has been towed, call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 979-764-3600.
2. Parking in the Yard
Code Enforcement staff proactively enforces parking-in-the-yard violations. For repeat violators, we issue citations to the tenants and summons to the property owners, who are ultimately responsible for their properties. The ordinance is intended to prevent grass fires, broken sprinkler systems, and other problems.
If you have questions about the process or ordinance, contact Code Enforcement at 979-764-6363.
3. Selling Parking
Selling parking spaces in residential neighborhoods is against City ordinance and could result in citations issued to the owner or tenants.
4. Northgate Parking
The Northgate District provides safe and affordable parking options, including the Northgate Parking Garage. The football game day rate is $5 per hour from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. ($50 maximum). Parking is also available on certain Northgate streets and the surface parking lot. The game day rate for both is $5 an hour from 6 a.m. Saturday until 3 a.m. Sunday.
For more information about the Northgate Parking Garage, including the availability of parking spaces, call 979-764-6313. For general questions about parking or Code Enforcement, contact me at 979-764-6363 or tshilling@cstx.gov.
5. Game Day Resources
For your convenience, here are some additional resources to enhance your game-day travels:
Postgame Routes and Closures
Post-game road closures will begin near the start of the fourth quarter. We recommend using FM 2818 and Highway 6 as an alternative to congestion on Wellborn Road.
Fans exiting the north side of campus are encouraged to drive to Villa Maria Road and then proceed east or west to avoid post-game congestion.
If you are traveling southwest of FM 2818 and Wellborn Road to the area near Mission Ranch, The Barracks Townhomes, and The Cottages of College Station, you can take Wellborn Road south and use eastbound Deacon Drive or Rock Prairie Road to avoid the congestion on Holleman Drive.
All northbound traffic onto campus roads is temporarily closed after the game, and vehicle access to Aggie Park is limited for tailgaters until campus roads reopen.
Our parking and traffic ordinances are intended to keep your family and other football fans safe.
Enjoy the game, and Gig ‘em, Aggies!
About the Blogger
Tommy Shilling is in his 15th year with the city and his fourth as code enforcement supervisor. A native of Waco, Tommy attended Sam Houston State.
City Traffic Engineer Randell Smith also contributed to this post.
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