Spectrum - Volume 19 Issue 01 August 29, 1996 - Announcement Re: Transportation for Academic Year

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Announcement Re: Transportation for Academic Year

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 01 - August 29, 1996

(Editor's note: Following is a memo provided to the university community by Ann Spencer, associate vice president for personnel and administrative services.)

With the start of fall semester, it seemed an appropriate time to remind the faculty and staff of the traffic accommodations needed with the increased flow of traffic coming onto and leaving campus each day. As you may recall from last spring with the closure of Spring Road, delays are likely to occur at peak traffic periods on and near campus each day, especially on Southgate Drive and Duck Pond Road.

Spring Road WILL be reopened at the completion of the current construction of athletic and parking facilities in this area of campus. It is anticipated that Spring Road will reopen prior to Fall Semester 1997.

Until that time, we ask everyone's patience and understanding, and urge your cooperation in trying to help address the traffic congestion in the mornings and evenings. As we did last spring, we are encouraging the use of alternate work hours in those departments where feasible, and in offices where there are sufficient numbers of employees to maintain office coverage from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Unlike last spring, we are not placing additional restrictions on start and end times of work. Any use of alternate hours should be in accordance with the Hours of Work Policy, Policy number 4300, available on the Virginia Tech Gopher and the mainframe. I ask that all department heads review their operations and discuss with departmental staff if and how alternate work hours might be accommodated within the department. The decision to use staggered work hours is up to each department head, and is not an employee preference.

We also strongly suggest the use of routes other than Southgate and Duck Pond Road onto and off campus, especially Price's Fork Road and downtown entrances to campus. Additionally, we ask employees to consider carpooling arrangements, and that Blacksburg residents use the Blacksburg Transit (BT) whenever feasible. With a Virginia Tech faculty/staff ID, there is no charge to ride the BT. Employees coming from Christiansburg are encouraged to use the Two Town Trolley. It is also free with a faculty/staff ID.

Our Police Department will provide enhanced traffic control at various intersections during morning arrival, lunch, and evening departure times. Please see accompanying map for the location of intersections where traffic officers will normally be stationed. We will continue to monitor traffic on campus throughout the fall to determine those locations most heavily traveled.

We appreciate your patience and your assistance in helping us address the traffic congestion during this next year.