Largest incoming class forces city to reopen 17th Street for new students

Don’t be surprised to find large crowds and heavy traffic throughout campus today as thousands of students move into the residence halls.

Additional IU Police Department officers, Bloomington Police Department officers and Indiana State Police officers will try to make move-in day for the biggest freshman class, plus returning students, as smooth as possible, according to a press release from the IU Police Department.

Seventy-five IUPD officers will guide students and parents throughout campus to avoid major traffic jams.

Park and Woodlawn avenues will become one-way streets from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition, Sunrise Avenue, Eigenmann Hall Circle and the Read Center North Drive will have restricted parking from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jordan Avenue Garage will be open and free of charge during the time when other streets have restricted parking.

The changes are made to create traffic going in a clockwise direction, IUPD Captain Jerry Minger said.

“Intersections are always an issue once traffic gets bumper to bumper,” Minger said. “We’ll have officers standing by because we don’t want traffic to stop.”

Although this year’s freshman class is the largest in IU’s history, Minger said there are no extra precautions other than the usual because the number of people moving into the dorms is pretty average.

In addition to having an already large freshman class, Minger said each student typically brings at least one vehicle with them and one person who helps them move in.

Minger said many students choose to move in early to avoid the major traffic jams, but most move in on Wednesday.

“The last day to move in and the largest day is on Wednesday,” Minger said. “The earlier that you get here is best.”

Although 17th Street is under construction and has been blocked off, students will still be able to move into Briscoe, McNutt and Foster Quads. The construction will stop and the street will open today, Thursday and Saturday. Students moving into any of those three dorms are advised to use 17th Street.

The Bloomington Police and Indiana State Police will also be present on the outskirts of campus helping traffic move along the major intersections into the city if traffic gets too backed up.