Closed bridge could add to traffic congestion
By BRANDON WORF
Officials at Fort Hays State University are advising those planning to attend the 106th commencement on Saturday to not only arrive early, but to be mindful of increased traffic and congestion. A high number of graduates, though slightly down from last year, combined with a closed bridge, will hamper traffic flow to and from the event.
"We're anticipating a heavy amount of traffic, as is always the case," said FHSU Police Chief Ed Howell.
The high attendance will raise concerns, but not so much as the bridge over Big Creek on Old U.S. Highway 40 immediately west of campus, which is closed for safety reasons. Traffic will be diverted through campus to available parking.
"Traditionally, most of our traffic comes in off of the U.S. 183 bypass, and once Gross Coliseum parking fills up, we redirect them to the campus proper," Howell said. "What's unique about this year, is that traffic leaving the event won't be able to filter out as easy, since the Eighth Street bridge is closed."
Graduates, their families and members of the community fill Gross Memorial Coliseum each spring for the ceremony. Of the 2,000-plus graduates Saturday, only a third are expected to attend the ceremony, as many are Virtual College students who might not even reside within 30 miles of Hays.
Space still is expected to be at a premium. While the ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, traffic typically has become snarled as much as an hour in advance across campus and the U.S. 183 Alternate. Typically, the FHSU Police Department receives assistance from the Hays Police Department, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
"People should allow plenty of time to get to Gross Coliseum, as things won't take long to get gridlocked," said John Walz, FHSU police lieutenant. "We will have five vans from the motor pool running shuttle operations to assist with transportation needs on campus, on top of the extra traffic control."
FHSU is offering several other options for viewing the commencement ceremony. The event will be broadcast to Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall, which is air-conditioned and has theater-style seating. The ceremony also will be aired live by the FHSU student TV station on its home channel. KFHS seen on Eagle Communication cable channel 67 in Hays, Ellis, Russell and WaKeeney. Nex-Tech also will carry coverage on its cable networks. The ceremony also will be webcast on www.fhsu.edu.
Gates to the coliseum and Beach/Schmidt will open at 8:30 a.m., and graduates are advised to park on the main campus and gather in Cunningham Hall by 9:15 a.m. In the event of rain, unpaved lots near GMC will be closed. Shuttle buses will run from the Memorial Union west parking lot, and Malloy Hall and Weist Hall parking lots to the coliseum.
