Omaha Police, MECA and the City of Omaha are releasing important information concerning the start of the College World Series on Saturday.
Traffic, Tailgating and Parking
Vehicle and pedestrian traffic near TD Ameritrade Park Omaha will be significant during the CWS. Please follow the tips below and view transportation alternatives to enjoy a safe, stress-free trip to the event, avoiding accidents and fees for moving and parking violations.
- Law enforcement personnel will be patrolling TD Ameritrade Park Omaha and directing traffic. For everyone’s safety, we urge both pedestrians and vehicular traffic to follow the directives of law enforcement personnel.
- Vehicles parking in MECA managed surface parking lots will be allowed to tailgate. Tailgating will be allowed inside the lot – but all grills and other personal property will need to be kept in close proximity to your vehicle and should not extend into drive lanes or additional parking spaces.
- Tailgating is NOT allowed in the CHI Health Center Omaha garage. Law enforcement personnel and security officers will be monitoring activities within and surrounding all MECA-managed parking lots. All personal property must be removed from parking lots at the end of each night. All MECA-managed lots will open at 8 a.m. and close 90 minutes following the conclusion of the last game.
- Lot D is a “pass lot” for CWS season-ticket holders, with the exception of Opening Celebration Day, when there is limited availability for parking due to location of the fireworks set-up.
- Lot B also is a “pass lot” for CWS game days. MECA advises it will be available for paid public parking only for Opening Celebration Day on June 14th with limited availability.
- The CHI Health Center Omaha parking garage will be open for parking at a $12 daily fee.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking is available on a first come, first-served basis in MECA-managed parking lots. There is no charge for vehicles displaying the appropriate hang tag or license plate. (ADA) Parking is available, but limited in Lots A, B, and D (with a lot D pass) on the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha/CHI Health Center Omaha campus. Those needing ADA parking should plan to arrive early to secure a spot.
- Persons with disabilities may be dropped off on the southwest side of the stadium near the corner of 12th and Mike Fahey Streets. Elevators are located south of the ticket windows near Gate #2 as well as south of Gate #1 at the Suite/Club Entrance on 13th Street.
- Park Omaha is a convenient, City of Omaha website and parking app that can help you locate hundreds of parking spots in the downtown and north downtown area. You also can use the ParkOmaha app to pay parking fees at garages or street meters from your smart phone.
- Motorcycle parking is available on the south side of Mike Fahey Street, between 13th and 14th Streets.
- All other parking is privately-owned and subject to fees or towing.
- AAA Nebraska is offering free tow, lockout and jumpstart service to any patrons at the CWS from noon to 10 p.m. each game day. To receive service, call 1-800-AAA-HELP or contact an officer stationed near TD Ameritrade Park
- Please, do not leave any valuables inside your vehicle.
Transportation
Metro Transit’s Stadium Circulator connects TD Ameritrade Park Omaha with downtown Omaha hotels, public parking, the Old Market and other attractions. The Stadium Circulator operates on an approximately 10-minute frequency and is in service 90 minutes prior to game time, and 90 minutes after the end of the last inning. The one-way fare is 25 cents. Signs with a baseball illustration located at each bus stop will make the route even more visible.
The Stadium Circulator will run continuously for the 2019 Opening Celebration Day on Friday, June 14th from 9:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the festivities end. Metro Transit also operates more than a dozen routes that offer scheduled stops within walking distance of the stadium. More details on Metro Transit’s Stadium Circulator or regular bus services can be found at ometro.com or by calling 1-402-341-0800 or 1-402-341-0807 TTD.
Bicycles and alternative transportation. If you prefer to travel by bicycle, a free bicycle valet service and parking “corral” is available on the southwest side of the stadium on Mike Fahey St., between 13th and 14th Streets. The corral will offer 20 spaces for riders who bring their own locks. The bike valet’s Opening Celebration Day hours are 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., and is open one hour before each game and closes 30 minutes after the last out. There also is a Heartland B-cycle station near the corral, and it will feature the new, electric, pedal-assist bikes. Bicycle racks and bicycle valet parking locations are indicated on the map found on NCAA.com/CWS.
Scooter operators ARE subject to citation for violations of the Nebraska Rules of the Road.
- Operators may be cited for stop sign violations, driving scooters on the wrong side of the roadway or sidewalks, failure to signal turn, etc.
- Scooters are not to be operated on roadways with a speed limit 35 miles per hour or over. The scooters are not to exceed a speed of 15 miles per hour.
- Scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks.
- Violators can be cited using the following ordinances/statute:
- Municipal Code Sec. 16-163 - Operation in public places prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether he be the owner, driver or operator of any motorized cart, minibike, motor scooter or motorcycle, to use, operate, drive or race the same on any public property, public sidewalk or public place in the city.
- Municipal Code Sec. 36-136 - Driving over curb or sidewalk. It shall be unlawful for any person in the operation of a motor vehicle to drive or park a motor vehicle along, upon or across any curb or sidewalk except at a duly authorized and established crossing.
- Nebraska Statute 60-6,178 Driving upon sidewalk; prohibited; exception. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
Scooter operators:
- must be at least 18 years old (per user agreement).
- are not required to have a driver’s license.
- are not required to have car insurance.
- are encouraged but not required to wear a helmet
Taxi stands will be located at 12th and Cass Streets, between Capitol and Cass Streets on 10th Street, and on Cuming Street next to the Holiday Inn. Numerous taxis will be available for transportation.
Pedicabs will stage on 12th and Mike Fahey Street, across from TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. A link to the city ordinance regarding pedicab operation is below. Pedicab Ordinance
Ride-Share: The ride-share pickup and drop-off will be located towards the north end of the cutout along 10th Street in front of CHI Health Center Omaha. Signs will be posted.
Low-speed vehicles and motorized carts are prohibited in Omaha.
Motorized carts are all four-wheel vehicles which are motor driven and no more than 76 inches in overall length and no more than 26 inches in height. For the purposes of this article, the terms "karts," "carts," "go-carts," "go-karts" and motorized cars coming within the above specifications shall be included and are intended to be included in the definition of "motorized cart."
60-6,380. Certain “low speed vehicles” are allowed on Omaha streets:
A low-speed vehicle may be operated on any highway on which the speed limit is not more than 35 miles per hour. A low-speed vehicle may cross a highway on which the speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour. Nothing in this section shall prevent a county, city, or village from adopting more stringent ordinances governing low-speed vehicle operation if the governing body of the county, city, or village determines that such ordinances are necessary and in the interest of public safety. Any person operating a low-speed vehicle as authorized under this section shall have a valid, Class O operator’s license and shall have liability insurance coverage for the low-speed vehicle. The Department of Roads may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any highway under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety.
Low-speed vehicle means a four-wheeled motor vehicle (a) whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved, level surface, (b) whose gross vehicle weight rating is less than 3,000 pounds, and (c) that complies with 49 C.F.R. part 571, as such part existed on January 1, 2011.
Low-speed vehicles are considered “Motor Vehicles”; therefore, must be registered in accordance with 60-383.02. The fee for such registration is $15.
Since low-speed vehicles are classified as “Motor Vehicle”, they must comply with the “Rules of the Road” the same as any other motor vehicle.
All Statutes pertaining to the Rules of the Road will be enforced.
Low-speed vehicles can NOT be used as a “taxi” type service. This includes charging an actual “fare” or any gratuity-based transportation service. These vehicles, however, can be used as a hospitality/courtesy transport (where no money is exchanged).