Commuters who normally park in North Shore garages or lots will have to find another spot today because of the Pirates' home opener, which starts at 1:35 p.m.

All lots and garages on the North Shore will be closed to commuter traffic. Parking near PNC Park will open for the game at 9:30 a.m., with event rates in effect.

Of course, that means Downtown lots and garages likely will be filled with daily commuters, so fans who don't arrive early enough to park on the North Shore could have problems.

The Roberto Clemente Bridge will close to vehicles starting at 10 a.m.

The Pirates are recommending the following parking options for fans who will be arriving after 11:30 a.m.:

• Station Square, where 1,500 parking spaces are available. The Gateway Clipper will be providing service directly to PNC Park from this location. The one-way clipper fare is $5. It's $10 round trip.

• Fulton Avenue lots, with 600 spaces available on the North Side near the West End Bridge.

• River Road lots, where 400 spaces are available east of PNC Park. The lots can be accessed from Route 28 South at the 31st Street Bridge or Route 28 North near Anderson Street.

Fans can take their chances and try to park Downtown and then walk to PNC Park. The city parking authority will be charging regular daily rates at its garages Downtown. The all-day rate at three close to the Clemente Bridge -- Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street; Ninth Street and Penn Avenue; and Wood Street and Boulevard of the Allies -- is $9.75. Mon Wharf parking is $8.

The Pirates also are encouraging fans to use mass transit. Numerous Port Authority bus routes and the light rail system from the South Hills provide service to Downtown. More than a dozen bus routes serving the North Side come within blocks of PNC Park, and most can be accessed from Liberty Avenue.

For fans going to the game, bags, purses, fanny packs, backpacks, soft-sided coolers and soft-sided briefcases 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches are permitted. Bags must be able to fit under the seat. Hard-sided coolers and briefcases, ice packs, and cooler inserts are not allowed.

Food and bottled water are permitted. Bottles cannot exceed 24 ounces and must be clear, plastic, sealed and disposable. Children's juice boxes also are allowed.

PNC Park gates will open at 11:30 a.m., with pregame ceremonies scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.

The Boy Scouts will kick off their annual Scouting for Food drive at PNC Park starting at 10:30 a.m.

Fans are asked to bring nonperishable food and grocery donations to the game.