A future campus envisioned by Facility Services includes a safer Highland Road and more roundabouts.
New sidewalks along Highland from Chimes Street to the south end of campus and an additional roundabout at the Nicholson Extension and Highland intersection are in the planning stages, said Dennis Mitchell, assistant director of master planning and site development for Facility Services.
Currently, there are issues with the sidewalks on Highland, Mitchell said. Sidewalks place pedestrians too close to a city road on which the speed limit exceeds 25 miles per hour. Furthermore, tidal wave action occurs during heavy rain. These problems call for a need to get pedestrians farther from the road.
“Most accidents I hear about occur in that area,” Mitchell said.
To improve the situation, existing oak trees and new landscaping would be placed between pedestrians and the road, Mitchell said. The sidewalks would be placed “comfortably” against buildings, making navigation more convenient.
This concept has already been implemented in certain areas, such as around the campus Barnes & Noble, Mitchell said. The courtyard in front of the structure serves as a safe way to navigate Highland, away from traffic.
Mitchell said this project is long-term, with no declared date of completion. It could cost more than $1 million, gained through various funding.
Though these enhancements would be appreciated, safety isn’t a significant issue along Highland, said Michelle Laskowski, math secondary education junior.
“Cars whizzing by don’t really concern me. We’re smart enough to avoid them,” Laskowski said.
James Wild, math secondary education sophomore and a resident of Baton Rouge, said new sidewalks are necessary because many students view Highland as simply another part of campus, not the busy city road it is.
Facility Services also plans to insert a roundabout at the intersection of Nicholson Extension and Highland Road, Mitchell said. This would allow a left turn on Highland from Nicholson Extension, an option currently unavailable, legally.
Laskowski said a roundabout at this intersection is needed because it would lighten early evening traffic on Nicholson Extension.
This new roundabout is part of a larger initiative for roundabouts on campus, Mitchell said. Facility Services is currently negotiating with the city about the possibility of roundabout at Parker Street and S. Stadium Drive. This project lacks a start date because funding and approval have yet to be granted.
Mitchell said the roundabout on Dalrymple Drive, where landscaping was finalized Tuesday, sets a good example. Throughout construction, only one tree was removed.
“People seem to like it and the character of the area is still intact,” Mitchell said.