Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 11/3/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   1

NORTH OAK STREET WILL CLOSE FOR WIDENING PROJECT
     HAMMOND -- A major City of Hammond construction project to add a turning lane to
North Oak Street, Southeastern Louisiana University's eastern boundary, is underway and will
result in the road's closure in mid-December.
     Brad O'Hara, vice president for student affairs, said the university wants to alert the
campus community to the construction, which he said will cause students, faculty and staff some
"short term pain for long term gain." To help get the word out, the city is also posting signs on
N.W. Railroad Ave. and University Drive giving notice of the upcoming closure. 
     O'Hara said that beginning December 11, North Oak will be closed until mid-May --
approximately five months -- from Dakota St. to University Drive to add a much-needed turning
lane. Meanwhile, crews are preparing for the work, such as relocating utilities. 
     O'Hara said residents and emergency vehicles will be allowed limited access during the
time the street is blocked off, but that it must be completely closed because of drainage
requirements.
     "Not only will the widening project improve the infrastructure around campus, but it will
also better traffic flow in the city in general," O'Hara said. "Traffic congestion on North Oak will
be minimized by the addition of the much-needed turning lane."
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm