Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

Campus Bulletin

October 10, 2006

New Parking Lot Opens

The University’s newest parking lot, P42, opened today on the former site of the Cold Storage Building on South Ring Road, south of the University Centre. As a result, many of the premium parking stalls in P31 have been changed back to orange/black permit parking.

P42 was designed to help alleviate the traffic congestion in front of the UC, the campus’s busiest core area, and to reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts, says Ian Weir, manager of Parking Services. The entrance and exit to the new lot will be from Christie Lane, the road adjacent to Occupational Health Services. There’s also an exit onto the one-way U-shaped road that runs in front of the UC.

The multi-purpose lot accommodates 64 vehicles, including accessible-needs clients, service vehicles, visitors, premium parking and reserved spaces for clients visiting Environmental Health and Safety and Occupational Health Services.

In addition, the new parking lot includes a drop-off/pick-up area at the east end that has 10-minute “no charge” parking. This feature was designed to encourage people to stop using the entrance of the UC as a drop-off/pick-up area, reducing congestion and the blockage of the fire zone in front of the UC. Future plans for the new parking lot include installing a shelter to protect people from the elements while waiting for their ride and an outdoor emergency phone similar to those currently used across campus.

Parking lot lights have already been installed. In addition, new sidewalks have been constructed on both sides of the parking lot that link to the existing sidewalk system. Bicycle racks will be located adjacent to the parking area.