Traffic changes planned for Southeastern commencement December 13
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND -- Motorists and visitors planning to attend Southeastern Louisiana University's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 13, should anticipate heavy traffic and route changes affecting University Avenue (Hwy. 3234) between Interstate 55 and North Cherry Street.
Jose Barrios Ng, who has led current efforts to modernize the Panama Canal, will speak at the ceremony, where nearly 1,200 students will receive associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the University Center. Barrios will also receive the honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree at the event scheduled for 10 a.m. at the University Center.
Harold Todd, director of University Police, said the section of University Avenue between West Lion Lane and SGA Drive will be restricted from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day. Local traffic will be allowed to proceed on University Avenue for as long as possible, but will be diverted through the campus as congestion increases.
Prior to commencement, the University Center parking areas are expected to fill early, and all traffic on University Avenue will be diverted. Eastbound commencement traffic will be diverted to West Lion Lane for parking at the University Center, and westbound commencement traffic will be diverted to the campus at SGA Drive.
"Traffic will begin to get heavy early in the morning," said Todd. "We anticipate the parking areas around the University Center to be filled before 9 a.m."
Additional parking spaces around the University Center will be set aside for vehicles with appropriate handicapped placards. Individuals requiring handicap accommodations should try to arrive as early as possible.
Vacant parking spaces in the Southeastern Oaks/Greek Village complex will also be used for this event. Residents are requested to use the back gate near the laundry facility and maintenance warehouse for entering and exiting between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Southeastern Lion Traxx shuttle buses will be in operation before and after the ceremony to accommodate those parking in outlying areas or needing special transportation assistance, Todd said. Shuttle stops will be marked with signs and/or canopies.
Drivers not attending commencement are asked to use U.S. 190 (Thomas Street and Morris Street) or Natalbany Road (Hwy. 1064) to avoid University Avenue traffic.
Southeastern students wishing to return rental textbooks that day should wait until after 2 p.m. to do so.
"We want our Southeastern students to have a great graduation ceremony," Todd added. "They've certainly earned it."
