One of the southern entrances to the UNLV campus is now partly closed to through traffic as a result of a project designed to improve the campus pedestrian environment and parking for students.

Also as a result of the project, the unpaved parking lots surrounding the Paul B. Sogg Architecture Building will be closed for the next two months for the installation of lighting and other improvements, according to UNLV Director of Planning and Construction Eric Anderson.

Brussels Street, which is owned by UNLV and runs north/south between Tropicana Avenue and University Road, has been used by many UNLV students, faculty, and staff in the past to enter campus and access parking lots along University Road, Anderson said. Now, he added, it is open to two-way traffic for only about 450 feet.

Roughly half of Brussels -- the southern half closest to Tropicana -- is still two-lane roadway. A traffic turn-around has been constructed at the end of that two-lane section. Parking lots at the Interfaith Student Center and the Houssels House are still accessible from Brussels.

But the northern half of the street -- closest to the interior of the campus -- is now a single-lane road designated as a one-way exit from University Road heading south to Tropicana.

Anderson said the change was necessary because the route was becoming increasingly dangerous for students walking along Brussels. Despite a series of speed bumps, many drivers exceeded the 15 mph speed limit, he said.

Anderson noted that as the first day of classes -- Aug. 31 -- approaches, those who had intended to use Brussels to enter the campus should plan alternate routes to avoid delays and traffic tie-ups.

When the project is complete, a new pedestrian walkway will be in place from the Donald C. Moyer Student Union to the architecture building. Also, new access to the parking lot north of the architecture building will be established via a cul-de-sac to be constructed on Dorothy Avenue, which is just west of Maryland Parkway and north of the Bank of America building.

For more information, call Anderson at the Office of Planning and Construction at 895-1475.