Parking to be upgraded by fall
By REUBEN CONTRERAS
Plans are underway to improve traffic flow and parking space shortages, a university parking administrator said.
Parking administrator Gary Beddingfield said the first of three construction projects would straighten and connect San Ramon Avenue from the new Science II building east to Woodrow Avenue.
He said traffic improvements for San Ramon Avenue would begin in June. The improvements will include a new bus stop, a staff parking lot and an extension of the road to the east.
Junior criminology major Tiffany Horn said she doesnt park her car on campus every day, but she is looking forward to an simpler parking system. Photo by Joseph Hollak |
“This new lot will help with the overflow in the current staff lot near the old science building,” Beddingfield said.
Currently, San Ramon Avenue curves to the north and connects with parking lot J near the forensic science lab.
Beddingfield said the straightening of San Ramon Avenue allows construction for a new staff parking lot southeast of the Science II Building.
The new staff parking lot will have about 70 spaces and might include short term and metered parking for students and visitors, Beddingfield said.
Plans to construct a new bus stop in front of the Science Building, across from the Downing Planetarium are also underway.
Beddingfield said the new bus stop would include a crosswalk and allow buses and cars to pull over and drop off passengers without stalling traffic.
“Traffic gets backed up on the two-lane road,” he said. “Especially with a number of buses dropping off students to see the Downing Planetarium and attend activities at the Satellite Student Union.”
Beddingfield said the project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the fall semester and will cost $150,000.
Fresno State has 8,000 parking spaces, with an additional 2,000 spaces at the Save Mart Center.
Improvements for parking lots J and A, near Woodrow Avenue, and the University Business Center parking lot are scheduled to begin next year and continue through 2006.
Beddingfield said the improvements would allow two-way traffic through each aisle and straighten parking stalls in the lots.
He said the cost for construction on lots J and A and the University Business Center would be about $400,000.
Construction will be done in the summer to minimize the inconvenience to students and staff, Beddingfield said.
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