Real Salt Lake officials expect early traffic hassles

SANDY — Real Salt Lake has fulfilled the parking promises it made as a prerequisite for public funding, but officials now are warning that traffic problems are likely for the first few games at Rio Tinto Stadium.

The soccer company built only a few hundred parking stalls in conjunction with its 9400 South stadium. However, Real has signed contracts with Salt Lake County, the Jordan School District and a handful of surrounding businesses to provide stalls for up to 20,000 fans per event.

The 5,600 contracted stalls are within a 20-minute walking distance of the stadium. Up to 15,000 other stalls within walking distance of the stadium could be offered on a private basis, said stadium project manager Mike Steele.

"It just didn't seem economical to pave everything," said Steele, who managed parking for the opening of the E Center in Taylorsville.

The Sandy Planning Commission required Real to find at least 5,300 stalls to receive $10 million of a $45 million public funding package. Under the plan, fans will not be allowed to park in surrounding residential neighborhoods, nor will they be allowed to park at Jordan Commons.

Most fans also won't be allowed to park at the county-owned South Towne Expo Center, home to the next-nearest large parking lot. The Expo Center has agreed to make 1,000 of its 3,000 stalls available — those will be offered on a prepaid basis to season-ticket holders and stadium staff for $5 per night.

Fans will be allowed to park for $8 cash on three grassy lots closer to the stadium. Real is hoping to someday develop that land with hotels, retail shops and restaurants.

Other fans will be guided toward free parking at Jordan High School on 10000 South, Jordan School District land on 500 West or at Sandy City Hall. Real has paid the school district for the parking and plans to have its employees on site, Steele said.

"We think that we've done all the research," he said. "We think we've got a very good plan."

Fans parking farthest away will be provided free shuttle buses, starting 90 minutes before the first game on Oct. 9.

Maps of the parking plan have been provided to each ticket holder, Manning said. Up-to-the-minute parking and traffic details will also be broadcast on 700 AM on game day.

As an alternative to the parking hassle, Real is encouraging soccer supporters to ride TRAX to the games. Stops at 9000 South, 9400 South and 10000 South are closer than many of the available stalls.

"Traffic and parking will be difficult for the first few events,"Manning said. "We're expecting the worst but hoping for the best."

For more information, visit riotintostadium.com

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com