Atlanta Braves Have The Weekend Before Full SunTrust Traffic Impact is Felt
First there was the March 31 soft open. Now there are three games in which the Braves can continue to monitor their fans’ ingress to SunTrust Park before the real test is taken.
This may or may not have been part of the Atlanta Braves‘ plan for getting their fans acclimated to a brand new routine. But the calendar will certainly work in their favor this weekend.
We’ve heard of the delayed game time start policy (to 7:30pm), the routes, the contingencies, and the expanded parking opportunities.
But in a quirk of the calendar, fans arriving in droves for tonight’s opener might catch a break.
It’s Good Friday.
As holidays go, this is no longer one of the biggest ones around, but it just might help take some of the volume off the roads this evening as many depart work early for the holiday or to attend church service observances of the occasion. Some others – like me – might even have the day off.
It might be just enough to allow a bit of breathing space for the faithful fans on their own pilgrimage to baseball’s shiny new cathedral: SunTrust Park.
No Weekend Issues Either?
Saturday’s game starts at 7:10pm, yet there should only be regular weekend traffic to deal with. Sunday’s contest has a 1:35 start, but it’s not just any Sunday – it’s Easter.
That should allow for fans – especially those attending multiple games during this opening weekend – a chance to work out their new routes and routines before the real challenge hits early next week.
Even for Monday evening’s 7:35 game – the last with the Padres – weekday traffic might be down a notch with folks just returning from a 3-or-4-day Holiday weekend trek.
It could therefore be next Tuesday before we see the full brunt of traffic arrival issues as the Nationals come into town for their first look at SunTrust Park.
It Still Might Not Be Easy
In fact, the I-85 fire made sure that nothing will be easy. Residents of Northern Forsyth, Dekalb, or Gwinnett counties can’t take their preferred route out of the city, so I-75 is going to be an option for those living furthest to the West in those locales. So yes: that complicates things.
But it could certainly be worse, and “worse” might just wait until next Tuesday.
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To be sure: anytime you add 15,000 vehicles into a place that does not normally expect such a crush, there will be issues. Hopefully fans will come early and linger around Battery Atlanta as they take in all that is available to them around the stadium complex.
My advice:
- Come early
- Be patient
- Study the maps – learn the alternate routes
- Study the guides for getting to the park
- Use the Waze app… if you’re not actually the driver
- Be willing to walk a bit if you can
- Be willing to drive a little further than the shortest route
- Enjoy the experience once you get there
Of course if you’re not heading to the stadium… it might be a good idea to avoid the area if possible!
Next: The Minor Leagues are Already Hot
But above all… let’s root for our team to beat up on the San Diego Padres for this entire weekend!