By Carson Lafferty, Opinion Editor
Image of barricaded road – Photo by Carson Lafferty
If you have ever driven through Aquinas’ campus, you are most likely familiar with the one-way road behind the Moose and Regina Hall. The one-way is the only road connecting the entire campus. Without it, drivers are forced to reach the apartments and Regina through Woodward Lane. Recently, this one-way has been the subject of a sudden and abrupt closure, causing much frustration from student drivers.
Towards the beginning of the new fall semester, students noticed road blockades and cones appearing. These blockages effectively restricted all access to the road to all trying to use it. Despite the barriers being in place, determined drivers moved the barricades frequently to use the now-restricted one-way, as the road used to be a convenient and necessary route for navigating campus with ease.
Campus Safety responded to students moving the barricades and using the one-way by escalating efforts to maintain the closure. Additional barriers and cones were added to the road. Five different roadblocks were installed. Pieces of paper were duct taped to the barriers saying that those who used the one-way and subsequently moved the blockades would face disciplinary action.
This situation involving the road has left many students frustrated. The road’s closure had not been communicated to the student body and no further information was given to the students once additional measures were taken to enforce the shutdown.
The closure has made the road into a safe walkway for pedestrians. With a nearly nonexistent shoulder on the road and no sidewalk stretching the entire one-way, it was a potential hazard for students walking to and from Regina Hall, the library or the Moose. With the shutdown, students, dog walkers, and runners are substantially safer using the road as opposed to when cars were permitted to drive.
For now, Aquinas students must cope with the inconvenient closure. However, the frustration felt by many students is unlikely to subside as the once-busy one-way has lost all functionality except for the walkers gaining extra safety.
The sign showing there is punishment for obstruction- Photo by Alex Rodriguez
The Saint 