OU football is often celebrated for bringing excitement, tradition and money to Norman.

But when 80,000 people descend on Jenkins Avenue and Lindsey Street, they bring something else as well: parking hassles.

Parking and Transit Services is taking steps to alleviate the dilemma, said Kris Glenn, marketing and public relations director for Parking and Transit Services.

Glenn said the university is partnering with the city of Norman to make streets safer by alleviating traffic congestion.

In some areas, visitors are allowed to park only on one side of the street, according to a press release by the Norman Police Department.

This will eliminate some traffic that has affected students in the past, Glenn said.

To alleviate parking stress, OU is planning to build a new parking lot on the east side of George Avenue, near the Duck Pond, said Richard L. Adamo, manager of operations for Parking Administration.

The new lot will hold 700 cars, and it will cost $10 to purchase a spot, Adamo said.

He said Norman police will close Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue three hours before the game begins.

“These changes will fill [parking] lots faster and cut down congestion,” Adamo said.

OU will continue to sell parking spots in the lots along College Avenue, near Dale Hall, the Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center and the Elm Avenue Parking Facility, Adamo said.

Although students have reported hearing rumors that the university plans to sell parking in the housing lots, Glenn said that is not true.

“We want to create a better environment for fans and accommodate students – not displace them from their home,” Glenn said.

The ticket office is starting a new trend for student season football ticket holders.

Instead of waiting in long lines, students can print their football tickets online.

Printing tickets online cuts down on lines and makes the process more seamless, said Kenny Mossman, director of communications for the OU Athletic Department.

Nearly 50 percent of student season holders printed from the Web site for this Saturday’s game, Mossman said.

Mossman said he won’t know until after the game if there were any hitches.

“At least right now we feel real good about it,” Mossman said.

The option to access tickets online is available from Sunday at 5 p.m. until Wednesday at 3 p.m. After this time, students can pick-up them up at the ticket office.

This service is new for student season football tickets but has been used for the public, Mossman said.