Major changes to a long-time thoroughfare are causing minor traffic delays through the heart of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s City Campus.
To reduce the delays along 16th Street between Q and Vine streets, university and city officials are asking drivers to use alternate routes that direct traffic around rather than directly through the downtown campus.
“With a little planning, drivers can significantly reduce vehicle and pedestrian congestions in that area of campus,” University Police Chief Owen Yardley said. “While it may not be the most direct path, taking an alternative route around campus will save drivers time and help increase safety for everyone.”
During the summer, a larger construction project transitioned 16th Street from three lanes of one-way, southbound traffic between Q and X streets to two-way traffic with one lane southbound and another lane northbound. The reconfiguration includes dedicated bike lanes in each direction, as well as parking and unloading zones along both sides of the road.
The work is part of larger initiative to direct traffic away from the campus core.
Because of a projected reduction in traffic through the area, seven traffic signals were removed and replaced with multi-corner, stop-sign controlled intersections. These intersections — particularly at 16th and Vine streets — coupled with pedestrian traffic have caused the majority of travel delays.
“If you need to cross Vine Street near City Campus, drivers are better off doing it at either 10th Street or Antelope Valley Parkway,” Yardley said. “Unless you need to access areas near 16th and Vine streets, it’s best to not use that intersection at this time.”
Drivers needing access to the interior of City Campus also have options. Primary roadways along the exterior of campus — Salt Creek Roadway and 10th Street to the west, Antelope Valley Parkway to the east and Q Street to the south — allow for easy passage around City Campus and entrance to interior roadways.
Key roads to enter and exit the interior of City Campus interior:
X Street at Antelope Valley Parkway or 14th Street at Salt Creek Roadway to access parking areas and buildings on the north side of Vine Streets.
T Street and Stadium Drive along Salt Creek Roadway and 10th Street to reach the west side of City Campus.
11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th streets (between Q and R streets) to access areas south of Vine Street.
City traffic engineers are assessing the four-corner stop at 16th and Vine streets. University officials are also monitoring traffic flow in the area.
