BY LINDSEY HAZLETT | PHOTOS BY SHANZEH AHMAD
Even with regular email and web page updates, students and faculty are still unsure how to access the campus as construction fully begins.
Edgewood College Biology Professor Dr. Marisol Lopez expressed her confusion immediately after reading the instructions the City of Madison provided. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” she said. “I think [the instructions] should be more visual, especially with what’s happening on the Edgewood campus.”
English professor and Madison Metro user Adam Fell shared similar concerns. “I’ve been using the information provided in both emails and at the dedicated webpage a lot and found them very helpful,” said Fell. “That said, I still have no real idea how I’m going to get to work on Monday, (March 19).”
As of March 12, traffic on Monroe Street was reduced to one lane of traffic, heading towards downtown. Cars are expected to exit the area via Regent and Park St., though the City of Madison said it did not intend to post any detour signage.
Some staff members are depending on such signs, which may result in confusion early on. Communications professor Marihelen Stoltz said, “I expect all the traffic arteries going out will be gridlocked.”
According to Madison city engineer Jim Wolfe, “The city has no detour route in place. There are too many options to designate one alternative route.”
Though no official detours will be established, the City of Madison did report working with both Google Maps and Waze. These GPS services will soon reflect the traffic restrictions and road closures.
Driving challenges aside, Michael Guns, vice president of business and finance at Edgewood, warned campus pedestrians of dangers from the expected congestion. “We anticipate significant traffic through the center of campus, especially from 7-9 a.m. and from 2-3 p.m…please use sidewalks as much as possible.”
The Edgewood College campus can be accessed via the main entrance when traveling from the beltline. The entrance on Jefferson St. will be open 24 hours for vehicles coming from the downtown and UW campus direction.
Edgewood College’s Monroe Street webpage will continue to be updated as new information and clarifications become available.
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