As Texas Tech University continues to grow, increased traffic through campus has led to greater safety concerns for pedestrians. As a result, a portion of 15th Street will be prohibited to vehicles during peak hours on weekdays starting this fall.
From 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, bollards will block 15th Street between Boston and Detroit avenues to all vehicles except emergency vehicles in emergency situations. The restriction may also be implemented during special events and storms.
“During any given weekday, more than 5,000 pedestrians have been documented crossing this section of roadway,” said Sean Childers, assistant vice president for operations in the Operations Division. “With this increased pedestrian traffic count and following a safety initiative set out by various entities on campus, it was decided restricting access to this stretch of roadway during peak times provided the safest option for all forms of traffic on campus.”
A collaborative safety effort between the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Transportation & Parking Services, the Operations Division and the Student Government Association focused on safety enhancements on campus for all forms of transportation: pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, vehicles and buses. These groups all have expressed their support for the change.
Bicycles, skateboards, scooters and other non-vehicle forms of transportation will still be allowed to use the road during the restricted hours.
Other recent projects to increase safety on campus include the installation of new sidewalks and four-way stop signs, adjusting signal light times, increasing area lighting and the development of a new safety campaign by Transportation & Parking Services.
Construction
The same stretch of 15th Street between Boston and Detroit avenues will be closed beginning Monday (May 22) for the Boston pavement replacement project, which will extend along Boston Avenue from Memorial Circle to 15th Street. The project is expected to last through July 31, barring any delays due to weather. During that time, all access around this section of Boston Avenue will be closed.
CONTACT: Lissa Munoz, unit manager for business intelligence and marketing analysis reporting, Operations Division, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-3121 or lissa.b.munoz@ttu.edu
(News release from Texas Tech University)
