As George Mason University welcomes nearly 6,000 residential students to the Fairfax Campus for move-in and Preamble events from Wednesday, August 19 to Sunday, August 23, the campus community should expect increased traffic and parking delays.
Traffic will increase around campus, particularly near Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, Lots J and K, and Rappahannock Deck. Specific parking areas will be reserved for move-in, and road closures will be in effect in some areas. Please allow additional travel time to and from campus.
Key units across the university work together to make the move-in experience as efficient as possible. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated as we welcome the newest Patriots to the Mason Nation.
See the map below for reference or refer to the Fairfax Campus map for parking lot and road locations.
Parking Impacts
- Lots J and K will be used by students and families checking in for move-in at the Ángel Cabrera Global Center and for post-move-in parking.
- Rappahannock Deck:
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- General permit area on Levels 1–3 (including faculty/staff general area on Level 3) will be closed to all but move-in traffic from Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Each night during move-in, starting on Tuesday, August 18 through Saturday, August 22, Levels 1-3 will be closed overnight at 11 p.m. Any vehicles left on these levels after 11 p.m. will be ticketed and towed.
- Rappahannock Deck reserved permit holders may park on reserved Levels 3–5.
- General faculty/staff permit holders may park ONLY on the rooftop level from Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23.
- Student General permits should use other General parking areas such as Lots A, C, L, and K.
- The reserved levels will only be accessible via the University Drive entrance on Level 2. The Patriot Circle permit entrance and exit will be closed. The reserved level gates will be open to accommodate families and students moving into the residence halls.
- Lot I: Closed to all but move-in traffic from Thursday, August 20, at 11 p.m. to Saturday, August 22, at 6 p.m.
- Lot R: Closed to all but move-in traffic from Tuesday, August 18, at 11 p.m. until Saturday, August 22, at 6 p.m.
- Short-Term Lots: Washington Lot near Presidents Park (off Shenandoah River Lane) will be closed from Tuesday, August 18, at 11 p.m. to Thursday, August 20, at 6 p.m. The short-term parking lot by Eastern Shore will only be available to move-in traffic with disabled permits from Wednesday, August 19, at 6 a.m. until Sunday, August 23, at 5 p.m.
- Merten Lot will be used for oversized vehicles for move-in that cannot fit inside Rappahannock Deck.
Traffic Closures and Impacts
- New resident students will check in at the Ángel Cabrera Global Center on August 19-20, so expect heavy traffic on Braddock Road, Roanoke River Road, and on Patriot Circle around Lots J and K.
- Global Lane between Mason Pond Drive and Lot K in front of the Global Center will be closed to all traffic except disabled parking on Wednesday, August 19-Thursday, August 20.
- Expect heavy traffic approaching the housing move-in areas around Rappahannock Deck and Presidents Park.
- Patriot Circle (in front of the Rappahannock Parking Deck) will be closed to all traffic from Wednesday, August 19 until Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m. Access to the visitor section of the deck will be available via Rappahannock River Lane and Patriot Circle.
- Patriot Circle eastbound will be closed at George Mason Boulevard from Wednesday, August 19 until Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m.
- University Drive: Expect heavy traffic between George Mason Boulevard and Rappahannock Deck.
- Chesapeake River Lane will be closed to all traffic except commercial deliveries and disabled parking from Wednesday, August 19, at 6 a.m. until Sunday, August 23, at 6 p.m.
- Rivanna River Lane will be closed to all but service and delivery vehicles and disabled parking from Wednesday, August 19, at 6 a.m. until Sunday, August 23, at 6 p.m.
- York River Road between Patriot Circle and Lot R is closed to inbound traffic.
Preamble Event Road Closures
Mason Pond Drive will be closed between Buchanan Hall and the Center for the Arts for several Preamble events from Thursday, August 20 at 6 p.m. until Saturday, August 22 at 7 a.m,
- Hypnotist Show on Thursday, August 20 at 8 p.m.
- New Student Convocation and Resource Fair on Friday, August 21 from 3-5 p.m., following New Student Convocation at EagleBank Arena, 1:30-3 p.m.
- Club 4400 on Mason Pond Lawn on Friday, August 21 from 9-11 p.m. Additionally, Rivanna River Lane by the HUB and King Hall will be closed Friday, August 21, at 11 p.m. through Sunday, August 23, at 7 a.m. for Mason Mayhem, which takes place on Saturday behind the HUB.
Visit the Preamble website for a full list of Preamble and Welcome Week events
For questions about parking and traffic during housing move-in, contact [email protected]. Follow @MasonParking and @MasonHousing on X (formerly Twitter) for updates.