Team backs city’s effort to curtail vehicle traffic close to stadium

The Cleveland Browns support the city of Cleveland’s implementation of street closures and traffic flow changes in downtown Cleveland on game days at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Rob McBurnett, senior director of communications for the Browns, said team officials were kept in the loop as city officials and the Cleveland Police Department drew up the plan that includes these closures: westbound Route 2 at North Marginal/East 26th Street; the East Ninth Street exit ramps off Route 2 eastbound and westbound; and East Ninth Street and West Third Street, north of Lakeside Avenue.

“The city City of Cleveland established the plan and we have supported it throughout,” McBurnett said.

McBurnett said the team understood some fans would feel inconvenienced by the closures and traffic flow changes. That’s especially true for fans who arrived after the noon closures and customarily use East Ninth Street and West Third Street to reach the Port Authority parking lots just to the north and west of the stadium.

“Our parking pass holders and fans were notified of the plan in advance,” Burnett said, referring to news releases by the team and city on their respective websites.

The new traffic plan was first used for the Oct. 1 home game against Cincinnati. It was in place for the Oct. 8 game against the New York Jets.

McBurnett said the Browns believe the new plan had the desired effect of removing vehicles from the streets adjacent to the stadium in the hour before kickoff, thus making it easier and safer for fans making their way to the stadium on foot.

“We’re always looking to improve the game-day experience for our fans,” McBurnett said.

The plan was not enacted to force changes of behavior in fans who customarily arrive at noon or later for games that begin at 1 p.m.

“We’ve always encouraged our fans to come before noon,” McBurnett said.

McBurnett said the team has received “minimal complaints” from fans displeased with the new traffic plan and closures.

“We are pleased with the improvements in traffic flow close to the stadium,” McBurnett said. “The challenge is to communicate to all of our fans that the plan is in place.”

The Browns next play at home on Oct. 22 against Tennessee.