The Observer, October 12, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 7
USG working to alleviate construction headaches
The construction on the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project has been frustrating for drivers and pedestrians alike, but Case's USG is working to make it less of an inconvenience for students.
Although USG has been talking about the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project construction since last year, it has finally issued a formal request to the university, University Circle, the Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority (RTA), and the city of Cleveland to better ensure student safety. Their requests include posting a police officer during the day to direct student traffic for the benefit of students and cars alike. In addition, the resolution requests that the other side of the intersection be reopened, when there isn't any construction nearby, to better accommodate student traffic.
As most students testify, the crosswalk situation is frustrating, and many complain about the lack of progress they've seen in amending the situation.
"Though the other crosswalk has been closed for the semester so far, I have seen little construction work that warrants its continued closure. I don't understand why the university has not opened it since it has been a hazardous situation for all involved," said Komal Patel.
"My real problem with it is that most of the danger is unnecessary since the crosswalk on the other side of Adelbert could be opened," said Kevin McHugh.
USG has also requested that the city and the RTA consult with their members before beginning other projects so that the student government may keep the campus safe for students.
"As of now, we have not heard a response from any of the parties involved, but this isn't something that we are OK with pushing off until construction is finished in 2008 or 2009," said vice president of student life Myles Nickolich.
Neither the city nor the RTA have responded to USG's request to widen the sidewalk or reopen the crosswalks, but Nickolich remains hopeful: "Student-based requests have been responded to when the same requests by the university were not."
Student concern about the crosswalk has been growing steadily this semester to no avail.
"Most students need to cross both Adelbert and Euclid, which, when a mob of people is crossing, turns into a diagonal path that blocks traffic. Admittedly, the danger is the students' fault since diagonally crossing the intersection was clearly not intended when set up. I can only imagine that it would be as frustrating for motorists as it is dangerous for the students since they are frequently forced to wait through most of their green light as students walk in front of them," said McHugh.
"The Adelbert Euclid situation is clearly not working for students or cars alike. Traffic from both ends is inefficient and tends to bottleneck. Come winter time, the crosswalk is going to be nearly impassable, creating further problems for students," said Patel.
The crosswalk and narrowed sidewalks pose an interesting problem for bikers, as well. "It's almost impossible to bike through the intersection and the stretch of sidewalk on Euclid. It's much too congested and poses serious safety risks even while I'm walking my bike," said Andrew Osten.
