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Braves officials want drivers to plan ahead for Friday's opener

By Ross Cavitt
By Ross Cavitt

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A new era will begin for local baseball fans when SunTrust Park officially kicks off the Atlanta Braves home season on Friday.

Channel 2's Ross Cavitt got warnings and requests for fans from Braves team leaders concerning transportation to SunTrust Park on game days.

"If you live on the east side of 75, there's no reason for you to be coming over here and thinking you'll park on the west side of the stadium," Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott said.

Stay with Channel 2 Actions News for complete coverage of the Atlanta Braves first home opener at SunTrust Park on Friday.

County and Braves officials worry fans will want to drive straight to SunTrust Park for the historic opener, even though that may not be their best route.

"Do not just assume that Interstate 285 and Circle 75 Parkway is the only way to get to all the different lots around SunTrust Park," Braves president of development Mike Plant said.

Fans crowded Cobb Parkway off I-285 to get to the exhibition game with many ignoring the dozen or so other routes that navigation apps like Waze use to get fans to their assigned parking spots.

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Those routes are necessary to avoid gridlock.

One complaint heard from fans during those "dry run" events is that it sometimes took a long time to get into their assigned parking lots, said Cavitt. Which is why on Friday and Saturday the Braves will not be accepting payment at these lots so you have to come with your spot already purchased.

"We will not be accepting credit cards,” said Plant. “We will not be accepting cash, you have to have a permit to come here and park on Friday and Saturday for these games."

Friday and Saturday's games are sold out and the hope is that if fans have their pre-purchased parking receipt on their phones or in their hands, it will get fans in these lots quicker and off Cumberland area roads.

Sure there may be anxiety about Friday, but county officials said there is optimism as well.

"You're never going to be perfect at anything, but what I've seen so far I think it will work just great," Ott said.

We will have live coverage of traffic leading up to the game on Channel 2 Action News at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. on Friday. 

Cox Media Group

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