Traffic changes planned for Southeastern Commencement May 12
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
Date: May 1, 2012
HAMMOND -- Motorists and visitors planning to attend Southeastern Louisiana University's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 12, should anticipate heavy traffic and route changes affecting University Avenue (Hwy. 3234) between Interstate 55 and North Cherry Street.
Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler will speak at the ceremony, where approximately 1,200 students will receive associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at the 10 a.m. ceremony in theUniversityCenter.
Mike Prescott, director of University Police, said the section of University Avenue between West Lion Lane and SGA Drive will be restricted from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day. Local traffic will be allowed to proceed onUniversity Avenuefor as long as possible, but will be diverted through the campus as congestion increases.
Prior to commencement, theUniversityCenterparking areas are expected to be filled early, and all traffic onUniversity Avenuewill be diverted. Eastbound commencement traffic will be diverted toWest Lion Lanefor parking at theUniversityCenter, and westbound commencement traffic will be diverted to the campus atSGA Drive.
Individuals requiring handicap accommodations should try to arrive as early as possible.
Southeastern Lion Traxx shuttle buses will be in operation before and after the ceremony to accommodate those parking in outlying areas or needing special transportation assistance, Prescott said. Shuttle stops will be marked with signs and/or canopies.
Drivers not attending commencement are asked to use U.S. 190 (Thomas Street and Morris Street) orNatalbany Road(Hwy. 1064) to avoidUniversity Avenuetraffic.
Southeastern students wishing to return rental textbooks that day should wait until after 2 p.m. to do so.
