The parking lot adjacent to Tucker Technology Center and Sid Richardson Building has been closed.But don’t start to grumble just yet.

Although 300 students must make a detour from the lot, they haven’t been completely forgotten.

It seems TCU officials planned ahead for the possible inconvenience — and for a solution.

The TCU TRAC has been up and running since the start of the fall semester before plans for the privately owned apartment center known as GrandMarc at Westberry Place were even finalized.

The East Campus TRAC shuttle now runs extended hours (from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.) to the overflow lots, which combined provide spaces for up to 927 cars, well over the amount needed to compensate for the 300 spots now off-limits.

A new lot has also opened next to the recreation center, which serves as an alternative spot for commuters.

Once the GrandMarc is finished, a parking garage will house 600 parking spots for residents – many of which will be students. This will take away a heavy chunk of cars that currently swell commuter lots.

Until then, TCU has given students parking alternatives – ones that will keep commuters out of neighborhoods and, in turn, keep tickets out of their pockets.