Police provide road information, urge caution as Purdue move-in days arrive

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Students and parents arriving for Purdue move-in days should be alert to road closures and street changes, as various road and building projects have affected routes and parts of campus.

Russell Street, which divides the main campus from the residence halls and is host to numerous fraternities, sororities and cultural centers, will be turned from a one-way, southbound street to a two-way street running north and south between Stadium Avenue and State Street. Depending upon the weather, various sections of Russell between State Street and Stadium Avenue could be closed as crews finish the project, such as tree trimming, street sweeping, signage changes or restriping on Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 10-11).

"We are working with Reith Riley and the city of West Lafayette to do this safely and with minimal impact prior to move-in. Warning signs, barricades, cones and flaggers will be deployed to alert motorists to the traffic changes," Purdue police Chief John Cox said. "During move-in we will also have several officers, residence hall staff and Boiler Gold Rush staff members out helping people get lined up and headed to the appropriate unloading point where they will drop their student off."

Cox encourages move-in traffic to make use of the new U.S. 231 when approaching campus from the north, south and west. South River Road at the intersection of Tapawingo Drive and Williams Street remains closed due to a road project. Motorists heading to campus from the east should take the State Road 26 East exit off of I-65.

Motorists arriving from the north can also take inbound State Road 43 but should be aware that the U.S. 52 Bridge project may intermittently close 43.

Motorists are encouraged to use both GPS and local news outlets, which will detail road closures and suggested routes.

"Of course, with the additional motor traffic as the academic year begins, we'll also have an increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic," Cox said.  "It is important that drivers be patient and aware of what’s going on around them at all times."

Contact: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu

Source: John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu