New traffic routing for WMU home football games
Aug. 30, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University is announcing new traffic and pedestrian routing along Stadium Drive to increase safety on days of home football games.
Due to safety concerns expressed by Amtrak officials, pedestrian crossing of railroad tracks along Stadium Drive will be restricted to crossing gates at Oliver Street and the intersection of Stadium Drive and West Michigan Avenue. Until a permanent fence is installed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, WMU will put up temporary fencing for the 2001-02 football season on the west side of the railroad tracks to encourage fans to cross at the designated intersections.
To increase the safety of pedestrians after they have crossed Stadium Drive, the MDOT has issued the University a permit to close one lane of northeast-bound Stadium Drive three hours before game time from Oliver Street to Eddies Lane, which is near the point where Stadium and Oakland Drive meet. This will allow pedestrians to cross the railroad tracks at crossing gates and walk safely down Stadium Drive to Waldo Stadium.
To improve traffic flow along Stadium Drive, University officials encourage football fans to park at Lawson Arena and Miller Auditorium and take the shuttle bus to the game. Parking is $5, with no additional charge for the shuttle bus. Additional parking also is available on WMU property along Oakland Drive, which was originally part of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital.
The changes are effective immediately. The first game of the season is the CommUniverCity game against Illinois State set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. Other home games are scheduled for the following Saturdays: Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 13 and Nov. 17.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 616 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu