Parking and Transportation Announces New Bus Routes and Road Closings
Parking and Transportation Announces New Bus Routes and Road Closings
Some significant changes are on tap this fall as the campus prepares for new bus routes recently approved by the administration. On the Gold Route, 5 buses will run in both directions from the Stadium and RAC to the University Store via Akins Blvd. and Forest Dr. and return. On the Blue Route, 3 buses will run from Lanier Drive to the University Store and return to Lanier via Plant Drive and Chandler Road after stopping at the two stops on Forest Drive.
In order to accommodate these new bus routes and to make our campus core safer and more pedestrian friendly, two roadways have been modified with traffic access gates to limit the number of vehicles in the center of campus. Georgia Avenue from Chandler Road to Forest Drive (at the University Store) has been converted to one-way traffic and has been closed to buses only and a very few service and delivery vehicles. Regular faculty/staff gate passes will not open this gate.
Forest Drive from Plant Drive to the entrance of the COBA-Newton lot has been converted to a Bus Only Zone with access gates. In order to provide a safe location for students to board, this area must be restricted to buses only. Gated access on Forest Drive to all Faculty/Staff parking from the COBA-Newton lot to the Carruth lot can be achieved via the connector road that runs between Plant and Forest just below the Performing Arts Center. Access to the Technology lot and the COBA-Newton lots can still be achieved through the gate in front of the Technology Building. Those who park in the Forest Drive faculty-staff lot across from the Forest Drive Building next to Watson Hall will still be able to gain access to the lot from Chandler Road through the residence hall lot between the Nessmith-Lane building and Centennial Place.
Students who are too sick or injured to ride the shuttle bus or walk from the Health & Counseling Center parking area near the Performing Arts Center can gain access to the Health and Counseling Center by calling the Parking Office at 912-GSU-PARK (912-478-7275). Parking Office staff will assist the student in using a key pad located at connector road entrance gate between Plant and Forest Drive to open gate. These very sick or injured students can either be dropped off at the front entrance to the Health or Counseling Center, or park in designated Health & Counseling Center parking spaces located in the front of the Counseling Center or in the faculty/staff parking lot in the rear of the Health & Counseling Centers. Once they are finished with their visit, they can drive back out the connector road through the exit gate witch is a “free out” gate. Students who abuse this arrangement will be ticketed and face potential Judicial System penalties.
“These changes will drastically reduce traffic and provide a safer environment for our students as well as improve the efficiency of the transit system by as much as 25%,” said Bob Chambers, Director of Parking and Transportation. “However, changes of this magnitude will undoubtedly challenge us as we strive to learn new routines. Please be patient and feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or special needs.”
Because of the new bi-directional bus routes, two bus stops have been moved. The stop that was located at the Nursing/Chemistry/Education buildings has been moved to the area in from of the Health and Counseling Centers. The stop that was previously located on Akins Boulevard near the RAC has been moved into the lot closer to the front door of the RAC.
Please Note: Parking in the RAC lot is now restricted to those with a current Georgia Southern parking permit between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Those who wish to park free and ride the transit system will be able to do so at Paulson Stadium. Stadium parking will be more convenient now that buses are running both ways from the Stadium, past the RAC to the University Store.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Parking and Transportation at 912-GSU-PARK (478-7275) or visit the website at http://services.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/park/
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