Far Hills, N.J. – The transportation plan for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship, scheduled for June 13-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., is designed to provide an efficient satellite parking system for attendees, while minimizing traffic congestion in the area surrounding Congressional Country Club.
More than 15,000 satellite parking spaces have been secured to help assure that the anticipated 250,000 spectators at the U.S. Open experience trouble-free travel to and from the championship. Local traffic representatives from Montgomery County, Maryland State Highway Administration, Virginia Department of Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and other state and municipal agencies have been involved in the year-long planning process with the United States Golf Association.
All general spectators traveling by car to the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club should follow event trailblazing signs to general spectator parking, located off I-270 in Gaithersburg at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and the Crown Farm property. The Crown Farm property is located on Fields Road, south of Sam Eig Highway. The USGA will operate a total of approximately 180 shuttle buses from both parking areas. The shuttles will run continuously from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day and will drop off spectators in close proximity to the Main Admission Gate. Parking assignments will vary depending on the day, so please follow the general spectator parking signage to the appropriate lot.
- Monday and Tuesday (June 13-14) – All general spectators will be directed to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds located off North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.
- Wednesday through Sunday (June 15-19) – Spectators traveling north bound on I-270 from the Capital Beltway will be directed to Crown Farm, south of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds will remain the preferred option for spectators traveling south bound on I-270.
Shuttle transportation from each lot should take approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
For championship spectators along I-95 and west of I-495 in Virginia, parking will be available in a reserved lot at Dulles International Airport. Shuttle buses from the parking area at Dulles will utilize the VA 267 Access Road. This will be the most efficient way for spectators in this area to access the championship. A parking pass will be required to use this parking option at Dulles. Any spectators in the local area or out-of-town spectators staying in Virginia should call the championship office prior to June 10 at (301) 365-5500 to receive their parking pass.
Metro will also serve as a quick and convenient way to travel to the U.S. Open. Spectators will be instructed to take the Metro’s Red Line to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Station located in Bethesda, Md. The USGA’s designated transportation company, Transportation Management Services, Inc (TMS), will provide shuttle service to and from the Hole Five admission gate. The shuttle bus ride should take approximately 20 minutes, depending on traffic. It is important to note that spectators MUST make a reservation in advance, for an additional cost, directly with TMS by visiting their website link – www.tms-llc.com/usopen/. Visit the Metro website at www.wmata.com or call (202) 637-7000 for specific schedule and fare information.
There will be no general parking or parking for spectators with disabilities in the immediate vicinity of Congressional Country Club. Vehicles that are parked illegally will be subject to ticketing, fines and towing.
“General spectators without a championship-specific parking pass should park in one of the designated spectator parking areas or use an alternative form of transportation such as Metro, buses, biking, or taxi service,” said Emil Wolanin, chief traffic engineer for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. “Traffic volumes in the vicinity of the club will be heavy, so utilizing the satellite parking system will be the fastest, most convenient way to get to the Open.”
Local residents who wish to be dropped off at the championship should utilize the passenger, taxi or limousine drop-off, located at the Norwood School on Bradley Boulevard. Vehicles (15-passenger and smaller) should access this area via the Capital Beltway (I-495), taking exit 39 (MD 190/River Road). Vehicles will travel west on River Road, turn right onto Seven Locks Road and make a subsequent left onto Bradley Boulevard. The passenger, taxi or limousine drop-off will NOT BE accessible via River Road. Norwood School will also serve as the designated site for bicycle parking.
Groups of spectators arriving at the championship by private coach bus or mini bus will not be allowed to access the passenger, taxi or limousine drop-off. They will be directed by law enforcement personnel to park at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, where U.S. Open shuttles will transport them to the championship.
Accessible parking spaces will be available at all championship parking areas for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards. Individuals requiring lift-equipped transportation are encouraged to contact the championship office at (888) 823-4465 to obtain additional information regarding parking and transportation.
Area residents and local businesses are asked to be mindful of the following guidelines during the week of the championship to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Due to U.S. Open parking traffic, delays can be expected during peak arrival and departure times (7-11 a.m. and 3:30-7:30 p.m.) in the immediate vicinity of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds and Crown Farm, including but not limited to the following locations:
- Montgomery Village Avenue (MD 124) from I-270 to N. Frederick Avenue (MD 355)
- N. Frederick Avenue (MD 355) from Montgomery Village Avenue (MD 124) to Chestnut Street
- W. Diamond Avenue (MD 117) from Quince Orchard Road (MD 124) to Chestnut Street
- Perry Parkway (Note: Northbound Perry Parkway will be closed to local business traffic at the CSX overpass)
- Fields Road/Omega Drive from Sam Eig Highway to Key West Avenue
Shuttle traffic will be heavy along the primary routes in and around Congressional Country Club. Motorists should expect significant delays when traveling along the following routes:
- River Road from I-495 to Falls Road
- Falls Road from I-270 to Oaklyn Drive
- Seven Locks Road from River Road to Democracy Blvd.
- Persimmon Tree Road
- Bradley Blvd.
- Persimmon Tree Lane
- Oaklyn Drive
Please check www.USOPEN.com for regular transportation updates and more information on the 2011 U.S. Open Championship.