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New rules established to avoid another country concert mess

PITTSBURGH — Country music fans in Pittsburgh are gearing up for a hug concert Saturday at Heinz Field. But officials said they’ll have to abide by new rules so there isn’t a repeat of what happened last year after one major headliner was in town.

Country music star Luke Bryan will be in Pittsburgh Saturday, and thousands of fans are expected to be on the North Shore for the concert.

Last year, a massive mess was left behind by Kenny Chesney concert goers, and officials are determined to keep that from happening again.

Olivia Thomas was at last year’s Chesney concert and said she remembers it being a giant mess.

“The garbage cans were overflowing, and people were just everywhere. They had to go to the bathroom. The lines were insane,” Thomas said.

Channel 11’s Dave Bondy was on the North Shore Friday, where crews were busy setting up over 100 portable bathrooms to avoid the same problem.

Officials told Bondy several dumpsters will be strategically placed and this year, they will be larger in size so they can hold more waste.

A “parking code of conduct” has also been introduced by Alco Parking Corporation. Concert goers will not be permitted to have glass containers, tents, furniture, or their own personal port-a-johns in the lots.

Limousines, RVs and motorhomes are also prohibited from the lots.

Also, concert goers must vacate the lots an hour after the concert ends. Officials said as soon as the concert ends, crews will begin cleaning the lots and clearing the trash.

In addition, Heinz Field management wants to remind concertgoers that parking lots open at 11 a.m., however all pre-sold parking lots around Heinz Field are sold out. Only those that have a pre-sold pass can enter the lots. Fans without pre-sold parking passes must park in public parking areas.

Public parking is available at the West General Robinson Garage, the North Shore Garage, at parking garages downtown, at Station Square and at Allegheny Center.

Fans that park downtown can utilize the North Shore Connector to get them to Heinz Field faster. Fans can use either the Gateway or Wood Street station and the connector will transport them to the North Shore.

All fans that enter these lots must have a ticket to the concert and must enter Heinz Field by 7:30 p.m.

The NFL’s bag police, implemented for the 2013 season, will also be in effect for the show.

"We encourage fans not to bring a bag into events. If necessary, there are two options: a clear plastic bag the size of a 1 gallon Ziploc bag or a small hand held purse clutch. For more information on the bag policy, CLICK HERE."

Related story: Post-Chesney concert mess sparks debate among Pittsburgh residents

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