The City of Champaign has issued a reminder to all of us that there’s a lot going on around here that is affecting traffic, especially in the next couple of weeks. Local schools are back in session this week (watch those school zones and stay off your phone for goodness sake), and Parkland begins on Monday. You would be wise to avoid U of I’s campus next week if at all possible, as move-in will begin next week. Also, if you haven’t noticed, there seems to be construction everywhere. Pretty much every path that I take through town is affected by it. Here are the areas that the city is asking you to be extra mindful of:
Additional traffic impacts will result as students begin returning to public and private schools, Parkland College, and the University of Illinois.
Unit 4 School District classes begin Thursday, August 15.
Parkland College classes begin Monday, August 19.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign residence halls open Sunday, August 18, with official move in activities beginning Tuesday, August 20, and classes starting Monday, August 26.Anyone accessing the area north of I-74 is reminded that Prospect Avenue over I-74 remains one lane in each direction (through November).
Market Street is currently closed until August 20, after which it will return to a one lane street, at Bellefontaine (with temporary traffic signal) through September.
Residents and visitors are advised to use Mattis Avenue or Neil Street when approaching the North Prospect shopping area from the south; or Olympian Drive or I-57 when approaching from the north.
Photo from City of Champaign Facebook page