Penn State will award approximately 14,000 degrees university-wide as new graduates celebrate commencement this weekend. At University Park, ceremonies will be held Friday through Sunday the Bryce Jordan Center, Pegula Ice Arena and Eisenhower Auditorium.
The weekend will mean an influx of visitors, so for those attending ceremonies or just navigating the area, here’s what to know about traffic and parking.
TRAFFIC
I-80 Rolling Roadblocks
Those heading into or out of the area Saturday morning on Interstate 80 should be aware of rolling roadblocks near Bellefonte. PennDOT anticipates minor delays between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on I-80 in each direction between exits 161/Bellefonte and 173/Lamar. A temporary reduction of the speed limit to 55 miles per hour will be in place, and state police will be on site to assist with traffic control. Message boards along I-80 will alert motorists to the power line work and potential for stopped or slowed traffic.
The road blocks are needed for West Penn Power to cut and remove overhead power lines no longer in use as part of preliminary work on a bridge replacement project starting this construction season.
Campus Traffic Advisories
• Curtin Road will be closed to vehicle traffic between University Drive and the entrance to the Jordan East lot throughout most of the commencement ceremonies at the Bryce Jordan Center to allow safe pedestrian access. Ceremonies at the Jordan Center are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Because of expected heavy traffic throughout the weekend on the east side of campus, the university advises those attending ceremonies at Eisenhower Auditorium to avoid the Park Avenue exits from Routes 220 and 322, as well as University Drive, and instead should use the Route 322 Business exits at the south and north ends of Atherton Street to travel to campus. Eisenhower Auditorium ceremonies are scheduled for 1 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
PARKING
Campus parking for all commencement ceremonies is free.
Ceremonies:
• Schreyer Honors College Medals Ceremony, 4 p.m., Friday
• College of Engineering, 7 p.m., Friday
• Smeal College of Business, 9 a.m., Saturday
• College of Communications, 1 p.m., Saturday
• College of the Liberal Arts, 4:30 p.m., Saturday
• College of Health and Human Development, 9 a.m. Sunday
• Eberly College of Science, 1 p.m., Sunday
• The Graduate School, 4:30 p.m., Sunday
General parking will be available at:
• Jordan East, located east of the Bryce Jordan Center, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue) and Dauer Drive (via University Drive).
• Stadium West, located west of Beaver Stadium, and accessible only from Park Avenue.
• Porter North located north of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and accessible from Porter Road (via Park Avenue or College Avenue).
ADA parking will be available at:
• Northwest corner of Jordan East near Bryce Jordan Center Gate B, across from the Penn State All-Sports Museum (accessible from the intersection of Porter Road and Curtin Road).Northwest corner of Jordan East near Bryce Jordan Center Gate B, across from the Penn State All-Sports Museum (accessible from the intersection of Porter Road and Curtin Road).
• Section of Lot Orange L located between the Bryce Jordan Center and Jordan East (accessible from Dauer Drive via University Drive).
• Southwest corner of Stadium West near University Drive/Curtin Road intersection (accessible only from Park Avenue).
Guest drop-off in drive lanes is prohibited.
Ceremonies:
• College of Information Sciences and Technology, 9 a.m., Saturday
• College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, 1 p.m., Saturday
• College of Education, 9 a.m., Sunday
• College of Agricultural Sciences, 1 p.m., Sunday
General parking is encouraged at the East Parking Deck, located on Bigler Road near East Halls
ADA Parking will be available at the section of Lot Yellow H at Shields Building, which is located on Curtin Road just north of Pegula.
Ceremonies:
• College of Arts and Architecture, 1 p.m., Saturday
• College of Nursing, 4:30 p.m., Saturday
General and ADA parking will be available on each level of the Eisenhower Deck on Eisenhower Road, with elevator access located at the south corner.
In State College Borough
The Borough of State College Parking Department will not be enforcing the “No Parking 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.” and the one- and two-hour restrictions between noon on Friday and 2 a.m. on Monday.
All metered parking will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lawn parking will not be permitted and all Pennsylvania Vehicle Code violations will be enforced.
