Freeway closures

Massive freeway renovation projects could affect many commuters to Cal State Long Beach in 2010.

According to a Daily Forty-Niner article by Robert Grimmick, California state Route 22 and Interstates 405 and 605 will undergo renovation next year.

The connector from state Route 22 — also known as the Seventh Street Bridge — and the I-405 will be shut down for up to a year to construct new lanes.

Other connectors will be closed for limited times as well.

West County Connectors project manager Niall Barrett told the Daily Forty-Niner that closing the northbound I-405 and the westbound Seventh Street Bridge will mainly affect drivers coming from Orange County to Long Beach.

Cal State Long Beach Media Relations Director Rick Gloady informed Daily Forty-Niner that approximately a third of the campus commutes from Orange County.

Sources:

Daily Forty-Niner

Photo (courtesy of the Daily Forty-Niner): An aerial diagram of the freeways that will be closed.

Parking tickets in Lot 6

People who parked at Cal State University Long Beach on Sunday night are probably 'citing' a reason to be upset.

According to a Daily Forty-Niner article by Matt Brown, more than 140 students received $40 parking citations after parking in Lot 6.

The tickets were given out after an unknown person moved the barrier blocking the entrance to the lot.

According to University Police Captain Fernando Solorzano, the lot was reserved for Pow Wow parking. (Pow Wow is an event held annually celebrating American Indian tradition and culture).

CSULB junior Daniel Beck — who usually parks in Lot 6 — said it was 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 12 when he noticed the barrier to the lot was moved to the side. He went into the lot, but an officer told him that he couldn't park there.

Beck parked in a different lot and went back to talk to the the officer who turned him away from Lot 6.

The officer explained that a barrier had been moved and told Beck almost every car had been ticketed.

A parking lot sign reads that students are allowed to park in the lot Sundays after 6 p.m., which probably was reason for many people to park in the lot.

People have 21 days from the date the citation was issued to appeal it.

Sources:

Daily Forty-Niner

Metered parking spaces to become carpool slots

Students who carpool to Cal State University Long Beach campus may find it easier to find a parking space.

According to Associate Director of Parking and Access Services Mark Rudometkin, 21 new carpool-only spaces are being added on the southwest corner of Parking Lot 17 near Student Health Services.

"I'm really happy about this," junior Ian McCready said. "It's about time. [Carpool] parking can get pretty crowded sometimes."

These spaces, originally zoned for metered parking, were converted via collaboration between CSULB university administration, Associated Students Inc., and the Parking and Access Services.

According to Rudometkin, any revenue lost from the removing the meters is minute, and that the increased carpool opportunities will exceed any revenue loss.

CSULB, with the 21 new spaces, has 289 total carpool-only spaces, according to Rudometkin.

For students, the option of parking in carpool spaces can be had in Lot 17 and Parking Structure 2. Staff and faculty members have more lots to choose from though, having the option to use lot 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 9.

Students have to purchase a general parking permit and then apply for a carpool passes. But there are only 1,000 passes issued each semester.

"I wish they would change that quota," freshman Mary Abdelshehid, who wasn't able to get a carpool parking permit, said. "But I guess it is hard because of the limited spaces. Hopefully they can find a way though."

If a student arrives on campus solely for a night class, it would probably be wise if they didn't purchase a carpool pass because anyone can park in carpool spaces after 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Students should keep on the look out for more potential carpool spaces because Rudometkin and his staff are looking to add.

Sources:

Photo: flickr.com/photos/garyseven/2906627450/

Parking and Transportation Services

Bike paths at Long Beach State

Given the poor economic situation in California, it's understandable that students and faculty try to save gas by riding a bicycle to Cal State Long Beach.

Biking to CSULB, however, can be dangerous due to inattentive drivers and the lack of bicycle lanes. But a new development could reduce that danger.

According to a Daily Forty-Niner article by Megan Clancy, Physical Planning Director Susan Brown is partnering with Long Beach State University Police and Parking and Transportation Services on developing bike paths on campus.

Brown will be working with Fehr and Peers Transportation Consultants — specifically the bicycle and pedestrian planning division — to develop these paths.

Students who ride their bikes to campus seem encouraged by this idea and are hopeful it will happen.

"I'm definitely in favor of bike lanes," said CSULB senior Jacob Baumer. "I have been to other schools like [University of California, Santa Barbara] and [University of California, San Diego] and I think [the bike lanes] have worked really well in controlling traffic."

Baumer also notes that the lanes would be beneficial to him personally.

"They would finally give bikers their own designated path to move around school instead of someone always being in my way."

Even students who commute to campus in their cars seem to be excited about this.

"It would be great," CSULB junior Bailey Walker said. "Maybe parking will free up even more because locals will bike to campus instead of driving."

Sources:

Daily Forty-Niner