The 49ers are "rolling out a new-and-improved plan to accommodate even bigger crowds" for their Levi's Stadium debut Sunday in a preseason game against the Broncos, according to Rosenberg & Richards of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. It will be a "crucial test for the team and local officials who are looking to ease the traffic jams, parking confusion and hour-plus waits for trains that many fans endured" when the stadium first opened its gates for an MLS match. This time, "more parking lots will be available and more lanes will be open on key roads, while traffic signals have been fine-tuned." Niners officials also are "hoping that the crowd of mostly 49ers season-ticket holders will rely more on the custom traffic directions the team provided to fans going to each of the two-dozen lots near the stadium, which many Earthquakes fans apparently ignored." The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority this week is "finishing a months-long" $14M project to "build extra tracks outside the stadium to store three additional post-game trains that can take 1,350 riders home and increase service frequency." The VTA also is "adding some pre-game trains, increasing the bus routes serving the stadium from five to six and launching new buses that will run along the light rail route to supplement packed trains." Serving the stadium "for the first time Sunday will be the Altamont Corridor Express and Capitol Corridor train lines from the East Bay, and charter buses coming from throughout the region, though those services will each carry a small number of riders." It is "unclear if the boost in transit service will offset" the 40% increase in fans compared to the MLS game (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/15).
