"I'd like to see the breakdown of the events and the costs," Sports & Exhibition Authority board member Dan Cohen said Friday after hearing there would be a $20 limit but no other set rates for events such as the 'N Sync concert Aug. 18 at the stadium.

"I don't feel comfortable saying $20 maximum. Twenty dollars is a heck of a lot to park," said Cohen, a Pittsburgh city councilman.

The authority set rates for Pittsburgh Steelers games ranging from $15 per game to $240 per season, depending on the distance of the lot from Heinz Field.

For University of Pittsburgh Panthers games, fans will pay $42 presold for all six games in the season, or $8 on game day.

The rates are part of a parking plan developed by the Sports & Exhibition, Stadium and Parking authorities, Alco Parking, the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh.

"It's certainly going to be better than it was last year" for Steelers fans to park for home games, said Steve Leeper, executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority.

Much of the improvement is tied to the more than 1,800 new parking spaces now available on the North Shore on the former Three Rivers Stadium site, he said.

"We have worked very hard to assure that coming to the games at Heinz Field is easy for everyone," Steelers spokesman Ron Wahl said in a news release.

Leeper said officials expect many football fans to take advantage of the $3 rate at Parking Authority garages and lots Downtown, then walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to Heinz Field. It's a cheap rate and a short, scenic walk, plus Downtown lots are usually only about 20 percent full on Sundays, when Steelers home games are played, he said.

Leeper agreed that officials should look more closely at rates for parking for special events.

"Obviously, for a high school football game, that's going to be significantly lower than for the (Pittsburgh Three Rivers) Regatta or a major concert there."