Waterloo prepared for students to move in on weekend

WATERLOO — Students will return to Waterloo in droves this weekend, prompting traffic restrictions on certain streets to ease moving-in days at the two university campuses.

Thousands of students will move into the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University over the Labour Day long weekend, and residents are urged to keep the influx in mind when heading out.

Traffic will be redirected or limited to one direction on various streets around the campuses, along with no-parking areas on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“We’re asking everybody to watch for the signage and obey the signage and try to be patient,” said Shayne Turner, Waterloo’s director of bylaw enforcement.

Streets with traffic restrictions are Lester Street, Spruce Street, Sunview Street and Regina Street North.

Lester Street has the most limitations. It will be one way, northbound traffic only from Seagram Drive to Columbia Street and greatly limited access from connected streets.

Spruce Street is also one way from Hickory Street to Columbia, with no access from Columbia.

No left turns will be allowed from Columbia onto Sunview, and no right turns onto Regina from University.

Parents driving into town with students are asked to come into the campus district on University, and then exit on Columbia.

People just making their way around town are encouraged to look for alternative routes, in particular on Saturday and Sunday when it will be the crush of students moving in.

No parking will be allowed on Bricker Avenue from King Street to Clayfield Street, Regina from University to Hickory, Marshall Street from Brighton Street to Regina, Balsam Street from Hazel to Hemlock streets, and Larch Street from Balsam to Hickory.

Waterloo Regional Police will have officers in the area directing traffic, and the city will have officers out as well to answer questions and offer directions.

Various events will be held throughout September to welcome students to Waterloo. Hosted by the city and community partners, they aim to educate students about a variety of topics including active transportation, parking options, bylaws, property standards, personal and fire safety.