Parking rates will give Rolling Stones concertgoers no satisfaction

It may be a little soggy for at the start of the Rolling Stones concert Wednesday night at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. And expensive to park, too.

The going rate for those who drive and park on campus will be $20 at Oak Street, 4th Street and Washington Avenue ramps, It's $5 more to park in surface lots near Williams Arena and those adjacent to the stadium. Rates go into effect 2 to 4 hours before the show, which is supposed to start at 8 p.m.

To save $5, go online and buy a parking pass from the University of Minnesota Parking and Transportation Services.

For cheaper parking options, use the East River Road Garage, Weisman Art Museum Garage or 19th Avenue Ramp. Those facilities do not charge event rates. The hourly rate in effect has a maximum of $12.

Traffic will be extremely heavy, and University officials are asking motorists who are not attending the concert or scheduled for work-related activities to avoid the campus area and reduce congestion. Also note some traffic restrictions around TCF Bank Stadium will be in place before the show.

After the show, parts of Oak Street and 23rd Avenue SE. will be closed and 5th and 6th Streets will be turned into a one-way leading traffic away from campus.

For those wanting to skip the driving and parking hassle, Metro Transit will be running extra Green Line trains to help shuttle concert goers to and from the show. The nearest rail stop is at Stadium Village right outside the TCF Bank Stadium. But it might be worth the walk to the East Bank Station a few blocks away. The platform will likely be less crowded.

"We are well aware that there are going to be thousands of Rolling Stones fans tonight and, even with the extra trains, want to ask the concert goers to be patient as we all work to get them home safely," said Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla.

Metro Transit will operate a special Northstar run. An extra southbound trip will leave Big Lake Station at 5:03 p.m., serving Elk River (5:13 p.m.), Ramsey (5:19 p.m.), Anoka (5:25 p.m.) Coon Rapids (5:29 p.m.) and Fridley (5:38 p.m.), arriving at Target Field Station at 5:55 p.m. To complete the trip to the U, hop on the Green Line. The return trip will depart Target Field Station 90 minutes after the show.

Northstar tickets can be bought online in advance. A $4 round-trip pass for those using the Green Line and Blue Line are available here.

Here is a note for Northstar riders: No bus service between Big Lake and St. Cloud will be available after the return trip, so riders will need to park at the Big Lake Station.