KINGSTON, R.I. – June 18, 2013 – As the University of Rhode Island prepares to welcome 4,500 youth soccer players and their families for the United States Youth Soccer Region I Championships June 27 through July 2, it is releasing its traffic plan for the four-day event.
“”This will be a heavier than usual traffic event, and we want people to be prepared,” said Shad Ahmed, URI emergency management coordinator.
Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28, will be the heaviest days, as the opening ceremonies will be held Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. at Meade Stadium, and Friday is the first full day of play for all teams. On Thursday, visitors will be arriving between 2 and 5 p.m.
“Because of the increased traffic to and from campus on those days, we urge all of our employees and students to plan accordingly.” Ahmed said.
The following measures will be in place the afternoon of Thursday, June 27 to ensure the smoothest traffic flow and a welcoming environment for the visitors:
• State and South Kingstown Police will manually operate several of the traffic lights near the Kingston Campus throughout the afternoon and early evening.
• Plains Road will be restricted to one-way traffic leaving the campus between 5 and 7 p.m.
• West Alumni Avenue from Rhody Ram Way to Complex Road will be restricted to pedestrians only from 2 to 7 p.m.