Traffic Changes for Roundabout Construction Beginning May 19th
Starting Monday, May 19, there will be significant changes to traffic patterns on Patriot Circle for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Mason Pond Drive and Patriot Circle across from the PE Building. The project includes three phases:Phase 1 – May 19 to Aug. 1
The portion of Patriot Circle between Mason Pond Drive (across from the PE Building) and Parking Lot J will be closed. All traffic will be diverted onto Mason Pond Drive, which will be converted to accommodate two-way traffic. From May 19-21 while Mason Pond Dr. is being re-marked for two-way traffic, there will only be one lane of traffic with flagmen at times. The conversion should be complete to allow normal two-way traffic starting May 22. Parking along both sides of Mason Pond Drive will be removed for the duration of the construction project.
Phase 2 – Aug. 1 to Aug. 14
The portion of Patriot Circle between Parking Lots I and J will shut down completely to through traffic. There will still be access to Lot I heading south. All traffic from University Drive heading toward Lots J/K, Mason Pond Deck, Concert Hall, or Mason Hall must take the new Spur Road to Patriot Circle and proceed around the east side of campus. Mason Pond Drive will only be used as access to Mason Pond Parking Deck.
Phase 3 – Aug. 14 to Oct. 1
Patriot Circle between Parking Lots I and J will re-open. Mason Pond Drive will continue to be used only as access to the Mason Pond Parking Deck until the road is connected to the new roundabout on Oct. 1.
Once construction is finished on Oct. 1, the portion of Mason Pond Drive between the parking deck and the roundabout will re-open to permanent two-way traffic to allow easy access to and from the parking deck.
We thank you for your patience and ask that all drivers and pedestrians use extra caution due to the changing traffic patterns. Throughout the construction project, all areas will be well marked with detour signs.
If you have any questions, please email transportation@gmu.edu.Map of Roundabout Construction Phases
What’s the Latest on Campus Construction?
- The New Patriot Circle Spur Opens Thursday, March 6
- Patriot Circle to Close between Lots E and G
- New Traffic Pattern in Effect March 6 Until Fall 2009
- A Map Showing the New Configuration Can Be Found at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/infoservices/NewSpurMap.pdf. The Red Dotted Line Shows the Area Temporarily Closed.
Construction is beginning on the University’s new parking facility. Parking Deck III will have 2660 spots. From March 6 until Fall 2009, a new traffic pattern will be in effect while we build Parking Deck III on what used to be Lot F. The new Patriot Circle Spur (The Spur) will be a two-way road connecting Patriot Circle to University Drive. It will divert traffic off Patriot Circle while it is closed between Lots E and G during construction.
How Will We Get On and Off the Northeast End of Campus While We Build the New Parking Deck?• Rappahannock River Lane is Closed to All Traffic
• The Spur will Connect Patriot Circle to University Drive
• Drivers Taking The Spur Straight onto University Drive toward Ox Road (Route 123) or Turning Right onto University Drive toward Downtown Fairfax Have the Right of Way
If you typically travel north on Patriot Circle to exit campus toward University Drive using Rappahannock River Rd. or George Mason Blvd., you will need to take The Spur because Patriot Circle is closed between Lots E and G. You have the right of way whether you continue straight onto University Drive toward Ox Road (Route 123), or turn right onto University Drive toward downtown Fairfax.
Cars heading west on Patriot Circle and staying on campus will be diverted onto The Spur to University Drive. You’ll go left at the traffic light on to George Mason Blvd. and then right at the stop sign to get back on Patriot Circle.
Cars heading into campus on George Mason Blvd. will not be able to turn left onto Patriot Circle unless they are heading into Lot G or the handicapped parking by Shenandoah Hall.
What Should We Watch Out for with the New Traffic Pattern?
• Use Caution and Maintain a Safe Speed Along Patriot Circle and The Spur
• The Campus Speed Limit is 25 MPH and will be Radar Enforced by Mason Police
• The Spur is Near the Child Development Center—Watch Out for Small Children and Stopped Traffic There
Remember—you have the right of way if you are exiting campus and turning right off of The Spur onto University Drive, or continuing straight onto University Drive toward Ox Road (Route 123). However, watch for oncoming traffic. If you are traveling east on University Drive toward downtown Fairfax, you’ll need to make a left when you get to the intersection at The Spur, but you need to yield to traffic coming off The Spur. Speeding fines will double on The Spur.
What’s Happening with Parking in the Construction Area?
• The Western Entrance/Exit to Parking Lot E Will Be Closed to Regular Traffic
• The Southeastern Entrance to Parking Lot E Will Be Open for Those Who Park There
• Lot E Will Close in April 2008 When New Residence Hall Construction Begins
Be aware that only construction traffic and police/fire department access will be allowed through the western entrance/exit to Lot E. Those who park in Lot E will use the southeastern entrance/exit, which is closest to the Facilities Management buildings. Lot E is still projected to close in April 2008 for the construction of a new 600-bed residence hall complex.
If you have any questions, contact parking@gmu.edu or Mason Police at 703-993-2810.
How to Park at the Arlington Campus with a Fairfax/Prince William Permit
With the onset of the Arlington II construction at the Arlington campus, parking has become quite restricted. As a result, those with Fairfax/Prince William permits have not been allowed to park at Arlington.
To accommodate faculty and staff on the Fairfax and Prince William campuses that have an occasional need while on University business to be at the Arlington campus, several Arlington Administrative spaces have been created on the top level of the Truland garage. In order to park in these spaces, you will need a special Arlington Administrative permit along with your regular Fairfax-Prince William faculty/staff permit. These new permits will be issued to departments instead of to individuals. A person wanting to use the permit would use the departmental pass, which must be displayed in conjunction with a valid Mason faculty/staff permit. The permit will be valid in the regular Administrative permit spaces on the top level of Truland where individual Administrative permit holders are also entitled to park.
For a department to obtain an Arlington Administrative permit, an authorized representative from the department must send a memo requesting the permit by email or fax to the Office of Parking & Transportation. The memo can be emailed to jcantor1@gmu.edu or amoran1@gmu.edu or faxed to 993-8575. Once the request is approved, the permit will be sent to the department via intercampus mail.
The request should include the department’s name, a contact person for the department in case of questions, the department mailing address and phone number. If you have any questions, contact Josh Cantor at jcantor1@gmu.edu or 993-1239.
WEST CAMPUS PARKING LOT
AND SHUTTLE INFORMATIONFreshman residents who have a vehicle are required to purchase the West Campus permit and must park in the West Campus Parking Lot from 7am-8pm Monday through Friday. West Campus permits are valid in the student general lots after 8pm M-F and all day on Saturday and Sunday. All vehicle traffic must enter/exit the lot via Braddock Rd. West Campus permit are not valid on Rapidan River Rd by the athletic fields. Those caught parking on the road will be ticketed/towed.
In order to transport students from the West Campus Parking Lot, there is the new West Campus Shuttle. All students and employees are welcome to use the free shuttle as it circulates around campus.
There are two shuttles running simultaneously Monday-Friday with one starting at the Sandy Creek shuttle stop and another at the West Campus Lot. The West Campus Shuttle will stop at: the West Campus, the Field House, the CUE Bus Stop, the Sandy Creek Shuttle Stop and at the Presidents Park Circle. The shuttle stop at the West Campus Lot is located on the north side of the lot closest to the athletic fields-as a reminder all vehicle traffic must enter/exit the lot via Braddock Rd.
Shuttle service begins Monday-Friday at 7:00am and continues with the last departures from Presidents Park and West Campus Lot at 1:00am. On Sundays and holidays, shuttle service does not begin until 2:00pm with the last departure from the West Campus Lot at 1:00 am.
THERE IS NO BUS SERVICE ON SATURDAYS and only one shuttle runs on Sundays. Holidays will operate on a Sunday schedule.
With the late hours that the shuttle will run, a security booth has been placed adjacent to the shuttle stop at the West Campus Lot and will be staffed by a GMU Police Cadet from 7pm-2am every evening except Saturdays or any other day when there is no shuttle service.
If you have any questions about the shuttle service, please contact Mason Shuttles at 3-2828 or at shuttle@gmu.edu. For questions about the West Campus Parking Lot, please contact Parking Services at 3-2710 or parking@gmu.edu.West Campus Shuttle Schedule
