ULM had cross walks installed on University Avenue between Northeast Drive and Desiard Street.
Lt. Steven Mahon, a member of the ULM parking committee, said the parking committee had Monroe City Traffic Engineering install them after feedback from students, staff and faculty as a safety measure.
They were not installed in response to any accident but as a prevention to protect students.
“Personally, driving up and down University Avenue and seeing students cross wherever, we felt the need to install more crosswalks since there is only the one at the intersection of Northeast and University Avenue,” Mahon said.
The parking committee didn’t put raised crosswalks down like the ones near Commons II because of the city buses that come through University Avenue.
The parking committee put ramps at the end of the crosswalks to make them handicap accessible. They also want to make the crosswalks more visible at night by possibly adding street reflectors.
Additionally, in a few weeks the speed limit in that area will be lowered to 15 mph. The committee is just waiting for the signs to come in. Mahon said they will put out a notice before changing the speed limit.
Some students are happier that getting to class is less dangerous now.
“I like the new crosswalks because I think that cars don’t usually stop in this area but it is highly trafficked by students and it gives them a way to get across the road easier,” Marylane Champagne said, a junior pre-pharmacy student.
Considering the buildings near the new crosswalks are used by pre-pharmacy and nursing students, two of the most popular majors at the school, many students likely share Champagne’s opinion.
Not only are the crosswalks a plus for pedestrians, but drivers will also benefit from seeing a defined area where students should cross the street.
“It’s really good because you get to prevent people from randomly crossing, like jaywalking or whatever, and it allows the drivers to be more aware of the people crossing,” said Matthew Spicuzza, a junior toxicology student.
Other students said they wish there were more crosswalks because the area where they installed them is just one of many high traffic areas for pedestrians.
