Whether you're from Omaha or Scottsbluff you will encounter parking and traffic issues around Burke High School Friday and Saturday during the Nebraska State Track and Field Championships.
More than 20,000 fans are expected along with nearly 2,000 athletes. Steve Eubanks is supervisor of athletics for OPS and one of the meet's co-directors. He says a school construction project has eliminated 60 parking spaces. He urges fans to use the free shuttle service to get to and from the stadium.
Shuttle buses will run about every ten minutes both days from the northeast parking lot at Westroads Mall. The service will begin at 7:00 a.m. and the gates at the stadium will open at the same time.
Eubanks urges fans to plan ahead Saturday because rain is in the forecast. That means they would not be able to park in the spaces on the soggy lawn at Burke. Parking in the neighborhoods is allowed on one side of the street. He cautions drivers to not block fire hydrants and driveways.
This is the 47th year Burke has hosted the meet. "I believe this is the greatest state championships the state of Nebraska holds," Eubanks says. "It's both genders, every county in the state is represented."
(PHOTO: NSAA)