More than 8,000 students cross Laney Walker Boulevard on GHSU's campus. And in order to protect their
students, faculty and staff, the university is making some changes to the
street that runs from 15th to R.A. Dent.
"The safety of the students is the number one
priority, and sometimes you do have to cross the street to go to different
buildings," said Karen Kagha, a first-year medical student.
Funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation
with help from the university, the transportation enhancement project will narrow the street to two lanes
of traffic, eliminate curbside parking, and add bike lanes on both sides of the
road.
"It's slowing the vehicle down, making them make
decisions, and not giving them enough space to get up to a higher speed," said Chris Mutter, project manager for HGOR, Planners & Landscape Architects. "We're
also keeping the pedestrians further from the lanes of traffic."
The list of safety features also includes elevated
crosswalks that comply will Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
In 2008, a graduate student was hit and killed by a
car while crossing Laney-Walker at 15th Street.
"We learned during orientation that somebody was
struck up the street, and I think it's great that it's going to keep us safer," said Kelly Shannon, a first-year medical student.
"Of course construction is a hindrance to class."
But students say they don't mind sacrificing a
straight-shot walk to class to stay safe.
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