Concerns halt roadblock

After an Executive Council meeting Monday, the decision to block access to Aggie Road through Caraway Road was postponed pending further review.

According to a memo sent out Monday through ASUInfo Daily Digest, the decision to reconsider the roadblock was brought on because of "several concerns that have been expressed about the impact of the closing."

"The university's primary concern is the safety of our students," Tom Moore, the executive assistant to the chancellor, said. "When this information was released (the blocking of Caraway) there was concern from several individuals that if we closed Caraway that would create new safety conflicts in other places. "

Concerns include drivers leaving the campus on University Loop East having to access Johnson Avenue, a busy four-lane highway, without the benefit of a traffic signal.

This is the biggest concern that Susan Hanrahan, dean of Nursing and Health Professions, has about closing off the street.

She said with the way streets and parking lots are set up behind the Nursing and Health Professions buildings, using Caraway Road to get to Johnson Avenue is the easiest way for students and faculty to get to St. Bernards Medical Center downtown and other places in North Jonesboro.

"We have 1,500 students and staff that use that street on a regular basis," she said.

The idea to close the street was initially to provide a traffic-free pedestrian crosswalk for students who cross Caraway from NorthPark Quads, Red Wolf Den and the Honors Living and Learning Community.

Hanrahan believes the three-way stop signs and the marked crosswalk that were put up this year are substantial enough to prevent safety problems.

"This is the safest it's ever been to cross that street," she said.

As of now, Moore said that the Council is gathering more information and input about any alternative solutions.

Janet Jamison, a junior biology/chemistry major from Monticello, understands the roadblock but has doubts.

"I believe that traffic flow on campus is already constricted right now without the closing of Caraway Road," she said. "If this road closes, that will be yet another road that will no longer be accessible. If Caraway Road closes, I think that University Loop West should be opened again to reduce possible hazards due to the constriction of traffic flow."

Sarah Jones, a sophomore nursing major from Magnolia, agreed with closing the road but expressed the need for better access in other areas.

"I think they need to block off the road, but, if they're going to do that, they need to remove the gate from the NorthPark Quads/Red Wolf Den parking lot," she said.

Moore said that currently there haven't been any specific suggestions for alternative solutions yet, but that ASU Chancellor Robert Potts is interested in input from the Building and Grounds committee, Parking and Motor Vehicle committee and Nursing and Health Professions since they would be the most affected by the roadblock.

"I think their decision to wait is a good thing," Hanrahan said. "It will be good to hear from others."

Moore also said that anyone who has any ideas is free to submit them.

Moore estimates a final decision on this will be made over Fall Break.

Potts is still out of the office recovering from back surgery, but is working from home.