Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University opens its football season this Saturday, Aug. 30, with a 1 p.m. game against Portland State in Reser Stadium and OSU officials are urging Beaver fans to budget extra time for traffic and parking because of continuing construction on campus.

Normal traffic patterns have been altered and some parking areas are no longer accessible.

"Due to the current construction and need for re-routing traffic, there could be delays as officers from Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police safely facilitate traffic flow," said Lt. Teresa Bloom, Oregon State Police station commander at OSU.

"As we move into the football season, I know fans are excited and we ask for assistance in making this a fun and safe season for all," Bloom added.

The biggest traffic obstruction is the closure of 15th Street from Jefferson Avenue on the north end to Western Boulevard on the south end. This limits access to several parking lots on the east side of campus. Access to the parking lots south of Callahan and McNary Halls is now only available off 11th Street. Within that parking area, construction of the new residence building, William Tebeau Hall, is in the final stages, blocking access to parts of 13th and 14th Streets around the building.

For the Aug. 30 game, there will be a temporary crosswalk established at Washington Avenue to allow pedestrians to cross 15th through the Facilities Shops area toward Reser Stadium.  This temporary crosswalk will only be in-place for the game.

Officials are hopeful that 15th Street will reopen Sept. 19, before the next home game. The official reopening date is set for Oct. 1.

Another temporary change involves parking around Kerr Administration building, which is only available via S.W. Benton Place, to the west of Kerr, or Washington Way, which can only be accessed from the west (it will continue to be blocked off at 15th Street).

East-west traffic going through campus is also affected as Jefferson Way is closed from Waldo Place to 26th Street. OSU officials hope that Jefferson will reopen before the Sept. 20 home game.

Additionally, off campus construction by private companies along the borders of campus - including a major new housing development off 35th Street - could also impact traffic flow. Road work on 35th Street is scheduled to be completed before Sept. 15.