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Spring semester will bring parking relief

There’s good news for those who drive to campus.

The new parking structure is scheduled for completion in time for the start of the spring semester.

Drivers with all types of permits will find more parking spaces. There should also be a corresponding drop in traffic congestion and the number of drivers lining up to wait for a space.

Parking officials are warning, however, that the first couple weeks of classes will still probably bring the semester’s most challenging parking. They are also asking those who started using alternate commute options in the last few years to consider continuing the habit.

For student permit holders, there will be an additional 2,490 spaces for a total of 8,898. For faculty/staff permit holders, there will be an additional 310 spaces for a total of 2,004.

“I’m happy to say, things are going to be much better for everyone,” says Ronald Grant, associate vice president for business operations. “The campus has been really patient during the construction of the parking garage, and we are really thankful to them. We’re also really appreciative of the people who started leaving their vehicles at home and making other commute choices.”

Along with the additional parking spaces, University Transportation and Parking Services (UTAPS) has made changes to how spaces are designated. This “reallocation” – a standard practice when there is construction or other major shift in parking availability – is designed to reduce confusion and address faculty/staff parking shortages on the east side of campus.

Parking lots 4 and 6, which are near the University Union and new Bookstore, will be designated entirely for faculty/staff permits. These lots were formerly mixed, with spaces designated for different types of permits.

The new Parking Structure III, like Parking Structure II, will be primarily for student permit holders.

The new structure will also contain experimental convenience parking for those willing to pay an additional $3 for the day.

For more details, and for general information on parking and alternate commute choices, visit the UTAPS website at www.csus.edu/utaps.