Parking, traffic closures to know about ahead of Beyoncé's hometown performance at NRG Stadium
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The countdown is on for Beyoncé's highly anticipated shows in Houston this weekend, and ABC13 has everything you need to know for an easy ride over to NRG Stadium to see Queen Bey.
This weekend's gridlock alert isn't like any other, as more traffic is anticipated than usual in the South Loop area towards the venue on both Saturday and Sunday.
Here's what you need to know:
Parking
Drivers, if you decide to park directly at NRG Stadium, know all lots will have $40 cashless parking.
Parking is available in the orange, red, maroon, blue, yellow, green, and purple lots. ADA parking is available in all of the lots.
If you're getting a ride, you can get dropped off and picked up at the Yellow Lot. The entrance will be through Gate 16B off Main Street.
METRORail riders can take the Red Line from the Fannin South Lot, which has $20 parking, and get off at the Stadium Park/Astrodome Station exit.
SEE ALSO: Beyoncé's favorite things: 9 places star has stopped before in Houston
Traffic
But what about getting there on time?
If you're driving in from Fort Bend County or the southwest side, the Southwest Freeway will be closed at the West Loop, so you might want to avoid that.
All main lanes will be closed starting Friday at 8 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m. You can use US-90 as your alternate route.
For those coming from the east side, including San Jacinto and all points beyond that along the East Freeway, avoid the East Loop altogether.
You'll see northbound and southbound closures between Market and Clinton Street from 9 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Sunday.
So, for Saturday night's concert, you can drive toward downtown and south on Highway 288 to catch the West Loop over to NRG Stadium.
If you plan to use METRO to head to NRG, they plan to put more of their trains in service about three hours before the start of Beyoncé's concerts each day.
METRO only operates one parking lot - Fannin South - on the red line along Main Street. It's $20 to park there, but that fee includes rail fare for every single person in your vehicle. Keep in mind, Fannin South only has about 1,000 spaces, so be there early if you want a spot.
It costs $1.25 each way for rail and bus fare.
The rail runs until 1 a.m., but even if you're out later from the shows, METRO says they won't leave you stranded.
"We will not stop service until we get everyone to their destinations. So as long as there are people on the platforms, we're going to continue to run service, so people won't have to worry about that," said Tracy Jackson, deputy chief communications officer at METRO.
And this might be a treat of sorts for fans. Digital destination signs will appear on the buses that will supplement METRORail following the concert.
What happens once you get to NRG?
First, remember that NRG has a clear bag policy. The stadium also has mobile lockers.
The parking lots open at 4:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., the Bud Light Plaza opens. The stadium doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and show time is at 8 p.m.
Watch the ABC13 Special Ready to Renaissance: Beyoncé's return to H-Town
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