How golf fans can solve the parking puzzle at Erin Hills
In one way, the U.S. Open at Erin Hills is a parking puzzle with a golf tournament attached.
The problem: How to funnel up to 35,000 spectators daily on rural roads to a relatively remote site that is miles from the interstates?
The solution: A park-and-ride system that includes two remote lots in different counties and an armada of buses to shuttle fans to the gates.
Will it work? Tournament officials and law enforcement leaders said they will move spectators safely and effectively for the week-long event that begins with a Monday practice round, with the championship running Thursday through next Sunday.
“I feel confident that we have a great parking and transportation plan,” said Danny Sink, who directs the U.S. Open
for the United States Golf Association.
“We don’t want to clog up the local roads and have 20,000-plus cars in the Town of Erin,” he said. “There’s simply not a way to bring them in effectively. It’s not a great experience for folks.”
Over two years, Sink said the USGA has worked closely on the plan with government agencies including the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The USGA will spend more than $1 million to implement its plan as it works with vendors to contract for parking and
buses.
“It’s an unusual venue,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Capt. Tim Carnahan. “It’s just not supplied very closely with very large freeway infrastructure. It is surrounded and serviced mostly by rural two-lane highways. We want to reduce congestion as much as we possibly can to facilitate ingress and egress.” Here are the basics: There are two remote lots for general parking. The RED Lot, located at the Washington County Fair Park in West Bend, and the BLUE Lot in Summit, off Delafield Road, just west of Highway 67.
The parking and shuttle rides are free.
Spectators will pass through security checkpoints at the lots and board buses for the drive to the course, around 30 to 35 minutes. There is a long list of prohibited items, including computers, tablets, noise-making devices and signs. Fans are encouraged to use of plenty of sunblock and wear a hat and sturdy shoes.
There are lots nearer the course, but they’re reserved for players, volunteers, workers, media and special pass holders.
There is a passenger drop-off area at Erin School, which is around a 10-minute walk to an entry gate. Access is limited to vehicles no larger than a 12-passenger van or limousine, and there will be no parking or staging at the site.
For those willing to take a chance on finding private parking, several homeowners near Erin School have signs that advertise spots for up to $40 a vehicle.
Carnahan anticipates heavy traffic flow from 7 to 10 a.m. inbound and from 5 to 7:30 p.m. outbound.
“What I would ask people to understand is we are not going to completely eliminate queuing for this event,” he said. “How many home games do the Brewers have every year? There is still a little bit of queuing.”
Carnahan said people will be better off going to the remote lots and enjoying the ride to the course, much like fans who use park-and-ride lots to get to Summerfest.
“The roadways in and around the course are going to be posted no parking,” he said. “It’s not because we want to inconvenience anyone. When you have small-capacity roads, you can’t have people parking on the shoulders; it creates a safety hazard.”
Carnahan said more than 100 troopers will assist with traffic control. An airplane will be used to monitor traffic. There will be road signs directing spectators to the remote lots.
“Read the signs,” he said. “It seems pretty obvious. We’ve put a lot of effort into this. If things change or there is an incident ahead, pay attention to those changeable message boards and signs. I’d also ask that people disregard what their GPS is telling them. We’re getting them to an area very efficient and effectively and that may not be what your GPS is telling you.”
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will oversee security at the course. More than 30 public safety agencies are involved in helping secure the event.
Washington County Sheriff’s Capt. Martin Schulteis said the parking plan, plus road closures near the facility, help with security.
“We’re able to control vehicular traffic,” he said. “It’s one of the things we’re keenly attuned to.”
Last year, when the U.S. Open was held at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh, Schulteis and Carnahan observed operations, including the use of satellite parking lots.
What they found was that the USGA model worked. And they remain confident that the model will work at Erin Hills.