August 18, 2009
Traffic safety steps respond to construction, other factors
Several safety-related disruptions in traffic patterns around campus stem from current construction, but some other changes are permanent.
In the heart of the academic campus, construction of the Roger B. Gatewood Wing of the Mechanical Engineering Building will continue until fall 2011. Considerable signage and fencing is in place, and as campus foot traffic balloons, safety considerations become even more important.
Construction vehicles, some of them large and heavy, access the site from the south. They come from State Street along Memorial Mall then through Centennial Mall.
In Centennial Mall -- near Wetherill Laboratory, Stanley Coulter Hall and the Bell Tower -- space is divided into a pedestrian corridor (west) and a construction traffic corridor (east). Near the construction site, pedestrians must either go along the north side of the Engineering Administration Building (no vehicle access there) or go around fencing to the walk near Hovde Hall.
At times, delivery of supplies, beams and cement will be frequent.
Construction vehicles are leaving the site going past Elliott Hall of Music taking Third Street to or across University Street. On occasion, this may mean brief stoppage of pedestrian traffic near Hovde.
Other areas
The Mackey Arena Project, planned to extend into 2012 except during basketball seasons, also will bring ongoing traffic changes. Notably, lane closures and disruptions on Northwestern Avenue will occur.
Currently, one lane on University Street north of Ross-Ade Stadium is closed through Thursday for sidewalk relocation. Other short-term disruptions on that street should be expected.
At Harrison Street and Martin Jischke Drive, work will continue well into fall on two buildings -- Discovery Learning Center and Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology.
Permanent changes
Among permanent new features, the Y-shaped intersection near Elliott and the Armory now is a three-way stop. That area also is within the academic campus zone that is off limits to student vehicles during daytime on weekdays.
Crosswalks with ladder-style stripes have been painted in a number of places. In several places, they are accompanied by in-street signs instructing motorists that state law requires them to yield to pedestrians by stopping at an indicated point. An enforcement campaign is planned for Aug. 24-31. The crosswalks also underscore the responsibility of pedestrians to cross streets in appropriate places. More about the crosswalks is at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2009b/090812PoliceCrosswalks.html.
This step to assist pedestrian safety follows last fall's addition of painted markings that more clearly indicate paths reserved for bicycles.
Purdue Today will continue to provide updates on traffic and parking disruptions, usually on Mondays, based on information collected by Physical Facilities.