Public Hearing to Address Darwin Avenue Road Closure

Residents impacted by the recent closure of Darwin Avenue as a campus through street, are invited to join city and university officials for a public hearing Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Center Colony Room located in the Taggart Student Center.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to talk to residents about changes that have already occurred, and plans for future avenue access. The avenue is located just west of the LDS Institute building.

 

While the closing of the road as a through street reduces traffic and makes it safer for pedestrians, key concerns involving entering and exiting the road from 700 North are still in the discussion stage, said John Fitch,  project coordinator with Facilities Design and Construction at Utah State.

 

Currently those exiting the north end of Darwin Ave. only have the ability to turn right and those entering Darwin can only do so when heading east.

 

Fitch said Logan City is willing to work with those living on Darwin Ave., by giving them the ability to enter the avenue when heading west, as well as east on 700 N.

 

However those leaving Darwin would still be required to turn right — not left — because of the dangers of oncoming traffic traveling at high rates of speed around a blind turn.

 

An additional impact open for discussion is the closure of the south end of Darwin as a vehicle access to campus. Having recently been closed due to construction of the new student housing complex, the south end of Darwin is now an access route only for emergency vehicles and garbage trucks.

 

Fitch said putting a hammerhead at the sound end of the street is a possibility, giving cars a place to turnaround.

 

These topics as well as others will be discussed at the public hearing. All those who would like more information on the closure of Darwin Avenue are welcome to attend.