Reducing speed limits, increasing safety on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus

Purdue Administrative Operations engineering staff and the city’s public works department partnered to explore and now implement the following speed limit reductions:

• Cherry Lane from the entrance of the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex to Northwestern Avenue: 40 mph to 30 mph.
• Cherry Lane from McCormick Road to the entrance of the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex: 45 mph to 35 mph.
• McCormick Road from Cherry Lane to Stadium Avenue: 45 mph to 35 mph.
• McCormick Road from Stadium Avenue to Mitch Daniels Boulevard: 35 mph to 30 mph.
• Airport Road from Mitch Daniels Boulevard to U.S. 231: 35 mph to 30 mph.
• Mitch Daniels Boulevard from Martin Jischke Drive to Memorial Mall Drive: 30 mph to 25 mph.
• Grant Street from Mitch Daniels Boulevard to south of Williams Street: 30 mph to 25 mph.
• Martin Jischke Drive from Harrison Street to U.S. 231: 30 mph to 25 mph.

The university and city recognize that lower vehicle speeds lead to safer pedestrian movements. Purdue University Police chief Lesley Wiete says safe pedestrian movements are critical on a large college campus like Purdue.

“With a campus population of 60,000 during the academic year, pedestrian safety is a top priority for our department,” Wiete said. “The risk of severe injury or death for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle increases with the speed of the vehicle, so we fully support lowering the speed limits in these areas.”

The reduced speed limits have been approved by the West Lafayette Traffic Commission. They will go into effect as construction along Cherry Lane continues. The plans call for the realignment of Cherry Lane to accommodate the new Pete Dye Clubhouse and the construction of a multi-use trail.

“With the scale of the changes occurring along Cherry Lane, we ask that the public be mindful of their surroundings and circumstances now and when the roadway reopens in the coming weeks,” said chief Troy Harris of the West Lafayette Police Department. “The reduction of vehicular speed, along with beginning to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area, will help enhance safety long-term.”

The new speed limit signs are being installed over the coming weeks, and installation will be complete by the beginning of August. Motorists should always obey all posted speed limit signs and use caution on and around campus.

Pedestrians can also take actions to ensure safety while traveling on and around campus. More information about pedestrian safety is available on the Transportation Services website.

Administrative Operations supports the university through safe, reliable and transformative services. Reducing speed limits to increase safety and overall wellness for the campus community is just one of many ways the organization powers Purdue.