July 1: Malls permanently close to through traffic
PULLMAN, Wash. – Beginning July 1, all auto traffic except emergency vehicles will be prohibited on Terrell Mall and parts of Library Mall.
Transportation Services recently worked with the pedestrian mall work group on a trial closure intended to increase pedestrian safety at Washington State University.
“The trial mall closure in April was a big success,” said Chris Boyan, assistant director of Transportation Services and a member of the work group. “We counted 28 vehicles that tried to cross the pedestrian mall on the first day. On the second day that number was reduced to two vehicles.”
Terrell Mall will be closed from Troy Lane to Library Mall, and Library Mall will be closed at Terrell Mall. A map of the closure can be found at http://transportation.wsu.edu/docs/ped_mall-2016.pdf.
WSU Transportation Services is working closely with local police and fire departments to ensure that emergency vehicles will have access to all parts of the pedestrian malls.
“Our goal is to increase safety on our malls in a resilient and sustainable way,” said Steve Hansen, assistant director of public safety and co-chair of the work group.
The pedestrian mall work group was formed this year to review and make recommendations to improve safety and access.
Development of pedestrian malls on the WSU Pullman campus began circa 1970 with Glenn Terrell Mall. As more malls have been added to the central campus, the effort has continued to give priority to pedestrians.
Contact:
Chris Boyan, WSU Transportation Services, 509-335-2950, boyanc@wsu.edu
