How is the Eisenhower Deck sinkhole impacting Penn State move-in week? Changes to know
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A day after Penn State’s Eisenhower Parking Deck was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution” due to a nearby sinkhole, the structure remained closed Thursday — and that caused a number of additional changes for move-in week.
The deck, primarily used by staff and faculty, was not slated to be used by students this week. However, the closure of Eisenhower Parking Deck caused a ripple effect because a number of permit holders at other University Park lots and garages had been temporarily relocated to Eisenhower.
As a result, permit holders have experienced some short-term reshuffling. (Some commuters who were temporarily moved to Eisenhower have now been moved to Nittany Deck through Friday, for example.) Students hoping to purchase parking permits for the West Deck have also found that sales have been indefinitely postponed because the West Deck is serving as alternative parking until Eisenhower reopens. (Lot 43 permit parking off Hastings Road remains an option for those students.)
And, because the Transportation Services Office is located within Eisenhower, the office was closed Thursday. Employees still continued to work from other locations, and those seeking assistance were asked to call 814-865-1436 or email parking@psu.edu. The University Park Police Station, also within Eisenhower, has been temporarily relocated to Gate B at Beaver Stadium “until further notice.” Police can be reached at 814-863-1111.
Move-in week is always a busy time at University Park. But between Atherton Street construction, the usual move-in traffic and the hiccup involving Eisenhower, there’s a little more to be aware of this time.
Here’s what you should know:
Road changes & closures
Eisenhower Road remains closed — from Shortlidge to Bigler roads — It’s not yet known when this might reopen but, as of Thursday afternoon, this on-campus road is still completely closed. Check transportation.psu.edu for updates.
No northbound traffic on Burrowes Road — between Curtin and Pollock roads — To better accommodate student arrival traffic, only southbound traffic will be allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Saturday.
Potential restrictions on Bigler Road — between Curtin Road and Park Avenue — Because of heavy traffic near the East Deck, there “may be times” where sections of Bigler Road are restricted through Sunday.
Partial lane closures on Atherton Street — between Beaver and West Foster avenues — Two crews will install new inlets and a drainage pipe Thursday, in addition to preparing for the pouring of a new curb, in already-closed lanes. (Traffic can still make its way through, although it’s congested.) No work is scheduled Friday or Saturday due to move-in, but those moving in Thursday will have to contend with this.
Expected congestion elsewhere on Atherton Street — between Westerly Parkway and Center Lane — A crew is installing a new water line through Thursday, so flaggers in the roadway will direct pedestrian and vehicle traffic as the traffic signal will be in “flash” mode. Again, there will be no roadwork Friday or Saturday.
Closure of right lane of Beaver Avenue — between H and Cresson alleys — This northbound road heading downtown will remain closed through the weekend due to roadwork.
Partial closure of Hiester Street and Calder Way — portions that border The Maxxen — This downtown apartment’s move-in will see restrictions between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. through Saturday. Move-in traffic will flow down Garner Street, turn left onto Calder Way, left onto Hiester and then into the parking garage.
Closure of right eastbound lane of East College Avenue — portion near the Meridian, at 600 E. College Ave. — This apartment’s move-in will see restrictions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Saturday.
One-lane closure of West College Avenue — portion near The Standard, near 300 W. College Ave. — This closure is for the benefit of the downtown apartment’s residential move-in, which will take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Saturday.
Changing H Alley into a one-way street — from Calder Way to Beaver Avenue — This change is designed to help downtown move-in for The Graduate residents. It will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday.
Campus parking changes
East Deck/HUB Deck permit holders encouraged to park elsewhere — through Sunday — Because parts of these decks are reserved for student arrival unloading, permit holders at East Deck are encouraged to instead park at Jordan East or Stadium West. Those alternative locations are also suggested for Yellow C permit holders in the HUB Deck, if the deck reaches capacity or other parking is preferred.
Student parking lot closures — through 6 p.m. Sunday — All core student resident parking lots will be reserved for 20- or 30-minute unloading, so permit holders must move their vehicles to Jordan East or Stadium West during the move-in period. The impacted student parking lots include Lot 22 at Eastview Terrace, Lot 42 at Nittany Apartments, Lot 81 at South/Pollock Halls and Lot 82 at East Halls. Students registering for a fall or fall/spring permit will receive an email after purchase with the date/time at which they may begin parking in their assigned parking area.
Faculty/staff parking lot closures — through Sunday — Because these lots will be reserved for student arrival, the following permit holders must park elsewhere through Sunday. (All can park at the commuter lots — Jordan East, Stadium West, Porter North and Porter South — and most permit holders can also park at more locations.) Brown E, Green C and Green N can also park at Nittany Deck; Orange B (at softball park) can park at other Orange lots besides Orange A at Katz Building; Yellow D (surface lot) can park at East Deck if space is available; Yellow H (at IM Building) can park at other Yellow H lots. And Yellow J and Yellow T (at Pollock Commons) must stick with the commuter lots because, as of Thursday, Eisenhower Deck was closed.
Other news & notes
The annual community/university LION Bash — or the “Living In One Neighborhood” resource fair/block party — welcomes residents and students alike. It will take place downtown from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 31.
CATA’s full-service schedule, including the return of White Loop service, began Thursday. However, because of the southbound-only traffic restriction on Burrowes Road — between Curtin and Pollock roads — northbound CATA/campus shuttle stops along Burrowes Road (between College Avenue and Curtin Road) will not be served through Saturday. Visit catabus.com for more information.
Details on campus move-in, such as where to check-in and the best place to unload, can be found at arrival.psu.edu.
“Welcome Week” events, which start Saturday, are listed in full at welcomeweek.psu.edu.
Fall classes officially begin Aug. 21 and end Dec. 8, with final exams scheduled from Dec. 11-15. The full 2023-2024 academic calendar can be found at registrar.psu.edu.
