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OSUFan
01-13-2009, 10:44 AM
If you haven't seen this, it is going to be a mess traveling around campus.

University Avenue Construction (http://ocolly.com/2009/01/13/university-avenue-construction-to-continue-through-summer/)

University Avenue construction to continue through summer

By Sara Stephenson
Staff Writer
Published: January 13, 2009

The University Avenue reconstruction began Jan. 5 and will continue through the summer.

“The condition of the roadway necessitated the reconstruction,” said Ralph Kinder, director for Public Works at City of Stillwater.

Safety concerns will be addressed with reconstruction, including pedestrian and drainage improvements.

“The project includes reconstruction of the roadway, construction of a new median, reconfiguration of the Student Union access, new traffic signals at Monroe and Hester and new sidewalks,” Kinder said.

The design of the new road has not been overlooked either, Kinder said.

“Not only will the project provide a safe and reliable roadway for both vehicles and pedestrians, it will also enhance the aesthetics of this important area, making a positive first impression to visitors to the community,” Kinder said.

During the course of the project, parts of University Avenue will be closed, as well as parts of Hester, Monroe and Knoblock streets.

The closure of the streets will interrupt the flow of bus routes, vehicles and pedestrians.

“University Avenue will be closed so buses will be rerouted around this area during the construction,” Kinder said.

The construction will also affect the flow of traffic near the Student Union parking garage.

However, in preparation of the project entrances were created on the upper and lower deck of the garage last year.

“At all times during the repairs there will be access to the garage, but it will be limited to one entrance,” said Mounzer Al-Harka, assistant director of the Student Union.

He said there will be some difficulty in accessing the garage, but it shouldn’t hinder the university or the students.

Matt Gardner, a political science sophomore, agrees with Al-Harka.

“I had to get off the bus earlier, but it’s not really a big deal,” he said.

However, other students said they were less than happy about the change.

“It makes me late for everything,” said Micah Lefebvre, an English junior.

Like Lefebvre, Kehley Richardson, a studio art junior, dislikes the inconvenience and the timing.

“It seems like they could have started earlier,” she said.

The project will take about 270 days and is scheduled to finish Sept. 18.

In preparation of the project, entrances were created on the upper and lower deck of the garage last year.

“At all times during the repairs there will be access to the garage, but it will be limited to one entrance,” said Mounzer Al-Harka, assistant director of the Student Union.

He said there will be some difficulty in accessing the garage, but it shouldn’t hinder the university or the students.

Political science sophomore Matt Gardner said he agrees with Al-Harka.

“I had to get off the bus earlier, but it’s not really a big deal,” he said.

However, other students said they were not happy about the change.

“It makes me late for everything,” said Micah Lefebvre, an English junior.

Like Lefebvre, Kehley Richardson, a studio art junior, dislikes the inconvenience and the timing.

“It seems like they could have started earlier,” she said.

The project will take about 270 days and is scheduled to finish Sept. 18.

orangegal
01-13-2009, 02:08 PM
University Avenue Construction (http://ocolly.com/2009/01/13/university-avenue-construction-to-continue-through-summer/)

However, other students said they were less than happy about the change.

“It makes me late for everything,” said Micah Lefebvre, an English junior.

.

Dude, two words: time management. Road construction and repair are a way of life in the real world; get used to it!

In 1991, my assigned parking lot (I was off campus) was the lot (now gone)across the street north of the stadium. My morning class wasn't until 10:30am but if I didn't get there at 9:30am or before, I would be parking in overflow, which was across from Colvin. A little planning and time management worked for me; I was never late for class. Well, almost never!:biggrin:

Bev

AlwaysOrange
01-14-2009, 07:37 AM
No one likes change, but this is definitely for the better. That road was getting really bad and there probably isn't a "good" time to do it. Hopefully the weather won't hinder the work too much and they will get it finished before fall.

OrangeCat
01-14-2009, 08:01 AM
It is the closing of Knoblock that concerns me, considering basketball traffic. It hasn't been bad with the smaller crowds in nonconference, but some of the confernece games are going to get bad.

The "powers that be" have made the decision to only open the arena 1 hour before the game instead of 90 minutes, which compresses the incoming crowd----and then (if the game is close) the egress will be really bad!

I hope everyone will "play nice" and let folks zipper in so that we can all get home.In our parking lot, there is one old guy in a white Lincoln that never lets anyone in even when everyone has been zippering in just fine up to him.

OSUFan
01-14-2009, 08:12 AM
Basketball traffic will be bad but what about football traffic? Doesn't the OSU/Georgia game play before September 18th?

snuffy
01-14-2009, 08:14 AM
It is the closing of Knoblock that concerns me, considering basketball traffic. It hasn't been bad with the smaller crowds in nonconference, but some of the confernece games are going to get bad.

The "powers that be" have made the decision to only open the arena 1 hour before the game instead of 90 minutes, which compresses the incoming crowd----and then (if the game is close) the egress will be really bad!

I hope everyone will "play nice" and let folks zipper in so that we can all get home.In our parking lot, there is one old guy in a white Lincoln that never lets anyone in even when everyone has been zippering in just fine up to him.

Saturday after the A&M game it took me 35-40 minutes to get out of BPS parking lot. I think it would be great if they got traffic police to direct traffic until construction is finished.

OSUFan
01-14-2009, 08:41 AM
I think we are going to start walking around the concourse a few times after the game before we head out to the car. I may miss the post-game but I may also miss a lot of waiting too.