A water main break that university personnel acknowledged on Wednesday has caused a change in the normal traffic pattern for students on the Boca Raton campus. University staff have closed the northbound lane closest to the median on West University Drive and the southbound lane turning into Lot 16 for at least two to three days, according to an email from the university on Wednesday.
A water main break is a rupture in the large underground pipes that transport treated water from municipal sources to the university, and this isn’t the first time FAU has experienced a water main break in this area. On July 23, 2020, Plumbing Experts Inc. responded to a call from university staff for a similar issue in the same part of campus.
Students who take the northbound lane will have to make a U-Turn into the southbound lane to enter Lot 16, which is near the Student Union building and the adjacent Student Support Services building, according to FAU’s announcement on Wednesday via email.
Drivers to the Boca Raton campus are asked to plan accordingly and use caution when traveling through the affected area. Students don’t seem to be concerned about the effects of the water main break on campus.
Ylan Hatri-Dodel, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, thinks this won’t have a significant impact. “It’ll affect students who normally park in Lot 16, but I don’t think it will be anything major,” says Hatri-Dodel.
Freshman and psychology major Aubrey Skorcz spoke the same sentiment, saying that if this is planned to be done quickly, then it isn’t a big deal.
Sophomore applied math major Oscar Bradbury doesn’t see it the same way. “I feel like it is very unfair to students who rely on campus parking, as this creates a barrier for them every day,” he says.
Elona Powe, a freshman interdisciplinary studies major, shared the same idea. Powe told the University Press that she doesn’t have to be a commuter student to see what issues like the water main break and parking traffic can do to students.
Freshman Logan Roche said that while he isn’t concerned in general, he feels that parking could be an issue if this turns out to be a bigger problem in the future.
Anthony Ortiz is a Reporter for the University Press. Email him at ajangus1331@gmail or DM on Instagram @ajortiz_38 for more information on these and other stories.
