U.S. Air Force Academy prepares for Bruno Mars concert weekend with new changes
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Preparations are underway at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) for an upcoming Bruno Mars concert, with venue managers implementing updated traffic control and entry procedures.
Stadium attendance for the performance has been capped at approximately 34,000 people with an updated operational plan in place after severe traffic congestion during a 2020 Avalanche vs Kings game at the venue.
The game drew approximately 50,000 attendees and forced some fans to walk across the freeway to reach the stadium. USAFA leadership is working to establish the facility as a recurring location for major concerts by improving traffic flow and the overall fan experience.
To address past congestion, venue officials completed deliberate renovations to improve gate structures and vehicular flow. Nick Kiger serves as the primary coordinator for USAFA events.
“The fact that we've been able to get some concerts has been huge for us," Kiger said. "We were very deliberate in the renovation process, improving our gates and improving the flow, reducing the capacity of the stadium."
Event organizers do not anticipate a need for auxiliary parking. To help maintain a steady flow of traffic, identification will not be verified at venue entry points. Traffic managers have also designed alternate routing options to prevent bottlenecks.
“We've got a couple different routes, to loop people around and stretch things out a little bit and ease the crush on the traffic right there on Stadium Boulevard,” Kiger said.
General parking is included for ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis, with options available to purchase premium parking in advance. Entry points open at 3 p.m., and organizers advise attendees to arrive early.
“The closer you arrive to the start, the more you risk missing out on a portion of the event,” Kiger said.
Specific navigation rules apply to ride-sharing services such as Lyft, Uber and party buses. All ride-share vehicles are required to enter through the North Gate and any drivers attempting to use the South Gate will be directed to turn around.
For everything you need to attend the concert, click here.
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