The existing “exclusive pedestrian crossing” at the corner of Lumpkin and Baxter streets near the Tate Center
This summer, UGA is continuing its comprehensive, multi-year initiative to promote pedestrian safety with enhanced lighting and additional engineering features at campus intersections with heavy foot traffic.
Some of the most visible changes are already taking place along one of the busiest streets on campus – the heavily traveled three-block stretch of Baldwin Street between Lumpkin and South Jackson streets in the heart of UGA.
Athens-Clarke County, which owns the street, is partnering with the university to make Baldwin Street’s intersections with Sanford Drive and South Jackson Street more pedestrian-friendly.
Each of these locations will feature an “exclusive pedestrian crossing,” where traffic signals temporarily halt all vehicles through an intersection, allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction – including diagonally – at the same time.
This type of crossing, also called a “pedestrian scramble,” is already in place at two locations along Lumpkin Street – at Baldwin Street near the Terry College of Business, and at Baxter Street near the Tate Center.
As part of the redesign of Baldwin Street crossings, the street’s two “rapid-flashing beacons” – pedestrian-activated warning devices at uncontrolled crosswalks – have been removed, and more fencing will be added to separate pedestrians and vehicles.
A nearby project on Sanford Drive near Memorial Hall will similarly improve safety by focusing on the location of pedestrian crossings and bus stops.
The efforts on Baldwin and Sanford are a small part of the larger ongoing effort by the university to continue to positively impact traffic safety around campus.
Additional bollards – black metal barricades – are being installed on the corners of campus intersections with high levels of foot traffic. These bollards are designed to protect pedestrians from automobiles.
The university is also working with Athens-Clarke County this summer to improve traffic signaling and realign vehicle lanes at the intersection of River Road and College Station Road. Extensions to the existing sidewalks are also planned at the Intramural Fields.
These projects reflect the university’s ongoing commitment to safe travel for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in and around the university community.
