MINNEAPOLIS - Congestion is making it tough and confusing for many students to get around the University of Minnesota campus.
Maria McElhiney needed to get to a class on the West Bank so she got on a campus connector bus but got on the wrong one and ended up in St Paul.
"Very complicated. It has been very difficult," the transfer student from Rochester said.
The light rail construction project Washington Avenue is making things even more difficult. Campus and Metro Transit busses are taking different routes. Drivers are getting lost on campus and students are in the middle of it all.
The U has police officers directing traffic at Pleasant Street and University Avenue but they will only be here for two weeks. The hope is that by then everyone will have learned how to deal with the construction, according to Jacqueline Brudlos, communications manager for parking and transportation services said.
"We're sharing the road. Everyone has got to pitch in and be aware and be safe," Brudlos said.
Construction on Washington started in May. Signs are posted everywhere warning of street changes and bus schedule changes. But it seems some have missed the message.
"Other students were like we have no idea they find it confusing too," McElhiney said.
Maps are available to help students and visitors get around. Brudlos said people have been picking up lots of maps and they may need to print more soon.
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