The University has installed a new set of stairs and a pedestrian bridge in the Bowles parking lot to improve the traffic flow for both pedestrians and vehicles following men’s basketball games at the Dean E. Smith Center, which is adjacent to the Bowles Lot.
The stairs and bridge will be accessible beginning with Saturday’s game vs. NC State, which tips off at Noon. The permanent staircase that connects Bowles Lot to Blythe Drive will be closed on gameday.
The stairs and bridge were installed to make it easier for fans coming from and going to the arena from parking lots and decks located in the Manning Drive, UNC Hospitals corridor.
Pedestrians are encouraged to use the stairs and bridge, which opens onto Blythe Drive behind Ram Village at Paul Hardin Drive, from the center of the Bowles Lot, rather than crossing the entrances/exits on Bowles Drive. That will allow vehicles to leave the lots unimpeded and reduce the amount of time it takes for the lots to clear after games.