Traffic changes planned for Southeastern commencements December 14
Monday, December 9, 2019
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND -- Motorists and visitors planning to attend Southeastern Louisiana University’s
commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec 14, should anticipate heavy traffic and route
changes affecting University Avenue (Hwy. 3234) between Interstate 55 and North Cherry
Street.
Retired State Farm Executive Wallace Lewis, Sr. will address Southeastern graduating
students at the 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ceremonies, where more than 1,000 students will
receive associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in the University Center.
University Police Captain Carmen Bray said the section of University Avenue between
Lion Lane and SGA Drive will be restricted from 7 a.m. to 6:30 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 to main campus via North
General Pershing Street and SGA Drive. Eastbound commencement traffic will be diverted
to 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 and again in the afternoon,”
said Bray. “We anticipate the parking areas around the University Center to be filled
an hour before each ceremony.”
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, as handicapped parking is available on
a first come, first served basis.
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 7 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, Bray 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 do so
on an alternate date.
