FF9: Crosswalk Resolution
On February 13, 2024, the Undergraduate Student Government’s Infrastructure Committee proposed a resolution to the Forum concerning a potential solution to alleviate the traffic congestion at the crosswalk of Pleasant Street and Scholars Walk on the Twin Cities East Bank campus. This crosswalk located near academic buildings on the Mall, as well as Folwell Hall and Bruininks Hall, which are frequented by students throughout the day. The most congested times for this crosswalk occur after late morning and early afternoon classes, with peak congestion times taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM, and in the afternoons from 12:05 PM to 12:20 PM and 2:15 PM to 2:30 PM.
The primary impetus for this resolution was severe disruption of campus bus commutes on routes 121 and 123, as well as Metro Transit bus commutes on route 3. Ultimately, the congestion of this crosswalk and the resulting delays in bus routes has led to delays for student riders of these buses, as well as other individuals using these buses to commute to the Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the congestion of this crosswalk serves as a danger to students walking through the crosswalk.
Voting Results
USG’s Infrastructure Committee, led by Daniel J. Tobias, suggested that the University of Minnesota Police Department place a crossing guard at the crosswalk of this intersection following class break times in the mornings and afternoons of weekdays to facilitate efficient traffic flow and ensure pedestrian safety. Additionally, the Committee requested that the University’s Parking and Transportation Services Department produce signage that directs pedestrians to cross Pleasant Street Southeast via the bridge that is located adjacent to Bruininks Hall instead of the crosswalk on the street. This resolution was posed to the USG Forum on the afternoon of February 20, 2024, and ultimately was passed with 36 votes in favor of the resolution and 4 votes in opposition.
