Students both old and new may run into some unexpected surprises as they attempt to navigate their way across and around campus this week.
Following a busy summer of construction, the University’s roadways have been updated as part of Easy Streets II, a project designed to create a more pedestrian-friendly campus and alleviate traffic woes.
However, road closure and on-campus construction will continue throughout the fall as part of these ongoing projects and may add to students’ confusion while navigating campus.
Phase I of Easy Streets II began this summer and includes the construction and recent completion of the traffic circle at Dalrymple Drive and West Lakeshore Drive, where four different streets converge.
Director of Parking and Transportation Services Gary Graham said the traffic circle, which has been open for a few weeks, has been well-received, and there have been requests for more on campus.
Easy Streets II along Dalrymple Drive also includes the creation of diagonal parking to replace what were previously parallel parking spots.
Director of Planning, Design and Construction for Facility Services Roger Husser said the creation of diagonal parking, which alternates from one side of the road to the other, creates a more curved road. This causes cars to travel in a weaving motion with the goal of slowing traffic flow and creating a safer environment for pedestrians, Husser said.
In addition to the diagonal parking on Dalrymple, the traffic lanes will also be designated as shared lanes between vehicles and bicycles, which Husser said will also calm traffic flow on campus, allowing pedestrians to navigate more safely.
The next part of phase I of Easy Streets II will take place at the south end of Tower Drive where the street will be shut down between South Stadium Drive and South Campus Drive, the areas near Williams Hall and the Frey Computing Services building, and bike lanes will be added in the coming weeks. This section of Tower Drive, which Graham said sees up to 30,000 pedestrians a day, will be permanently closed to vehicles.
Additionally, at the north end of Tower Drive between South Campus Drive and the Union Theater, an extra-wide sidewalk will be added to create a pedestrian thoroughfare. However, the area will remain open for vehicle access to the two gated lots.
Husser said the work on Tower Drive will continue through early October.
Phase II of Easy Streets II will begin next summer and consists of similar work along Field House Drive, South Stadium Drive and the west end of South Campus Drive.
Other road closures include South Stadium Drive, which will remain closed because of stadium construction until next fall.
The new parking garage on campus may also relieve residential parking congestion. A lottery was held to distribute the $330 parking passes to students and there is now a waitlist for students wanting to park in the area.
Parking and Transportation Services also confirmed that parking permits for students have been mailed. Students who have not received parking permits should go to their post office and ask for a confirmation of non-receipt and present that document at the parking office in order to be issued another parking pass.
Ticketing for illegal parking without a permit will begin Sept. 1.
Staff writer Thomas Kemp contributed to this story.