Heavy traffic expected for high school graduations

Yay! Traffic!

At Mason this summer for classes or work? Depending on when you're traveling to and from campus, you may want to take note of the schedule of upcoming area high school graduations.

Each year, Patriot Center is the location for numerous graduation ceremonies for area high schools. A traffic alert was sent out this morning with information on suggestions for getting around campus during the expected heavy congestion times (one hour before and after each ceremony).

The first of 21 graduations to be held at the Patriot Center took place on Sunday. The last takes place on Wednesday, June 22.

The full text of the message sent to the Mason community, including the full schedule of graduations at the Patriot Center and nearby Robinson High School, is posted below. 

Patriot Center Hosts Area High School Graduation Ceremonies
 

It’s high school graduation time, and 21 graduation ceremonies will take place at the Patriot Center on the Fairfax Campus this year. Attendance at these graduations ranges from 3,000 to 5,500 people.
 

Expect heavy traffic on the roadways to and from campus, as well as on campus, approximately one hour before and after each ceremony. Most ceremonies last about two hours.

To avoid the heaviest congestion, it is recommended that drivers use less traveled entrances onto campus such as Shenandoah River Lane off Roberts Road or George Mason Boulevard off University Drive. It may be much easier to find parking in Rappahannock river Deck than in the general lots near the Patriot Center.
 

Following is the schedule, along with the expected number of attendees.

Sunday, June 5
2:30 p.m. Pope Paul VI, 3,000
 

Friday, June 10
7 p.m. Gar-Field, 5,000

Saturday, June 11
9:30 a.m. Hylton High, 5,000
2 p.m. Forest Park, 5,500
7 p.m. Freedom (PWCPS), 4,500
 

Thursday, June 16
9:30 a.m. Robinson, 5,000
2 p.m. South County, 3,500
7 p.m. Stone Bridge, 3,500

Friday, June 17
9:30 a.m. Westfield, 5,500
2 p.m. Herndon, 4,000
7 p.m. Freedom (LCPS), 3,500
 

Saturday, June 18
10 a.m. Broad Run, 3,500
2 p.m. Briar Woods, 3,500
7 p.m. Thomas Jefferson, 3,500

Monday, June 20
9:30 a.m. Oakton, 4,000
2:30 p.m. Park View, 3,000
7:30 p.m. Chantilly, 5,000
 

Tuesday, June 21
9:30 a.m. Centreville, 4,500
2 p.m. West Springfield, 4,000
7:30 p.m. Lake Braddock, 4,000

Wednesday, June 22
2 p.m. Lee High, 4,000
 

In addition, several high school graduations will take place at nearby Robinson High School (5035 Sideburn Road) on some of these same days. They are:

Friday, June 17
2:30 p.m., Woodson
4:30 p.m., Robinson
 

Monday, June 20
2:30 p.m., Stuart

Original traffic light image by sychare