The Sequel : BUMPER CROP

The 18-screen Universal City Cinemas complex, which opened to the public Wednesday, has put out a slew of publicity about its state-of-the-artness. But what about the issue of potential traffic congestion? Not much.

A Cineplex Odeon executive, requesting anonymity, conceded that there’s a strong potential that “getting there won’t be any fun,” despite the Hollywood Freeway’s new Universal Center off-ramp. During Universal Amphitheatre attractions, he said, movie patrons could face a 30-to-60 minute trip from the new freeway exit to the theaters. (Parking for the complex is free for movie patrons, who get a refund when they buy their tickets.)

The exec said that Cineplex chairman Garth Drabinsky had hoped to arrange assigned traffic lanes for the theaters on Amphitheater event evenings, but so far no one is addressing “what is only a potential problem.”

Serious thought has been given to staggered showtimes, he added. But with 18 screens, “It’s virtually impossible not to run into some problem either coming or going.”