STATE COLLEGE — It’s that time of year again in State College. The quiet summer is over and the students are back with all of their energy, making the town lively again. As they move in, locals can expect to see a bit of congestion and commotion around town.
The Penn State Office of Student Affairs reports that 38,000 students live off campus or are preparing to live off campus, meaning a whole lot of people will be moving in this weekend, prior to the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 20.
State College Borough has lifted some parking restrictions until Aug. 20 so students can move in with some ease, but that doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all for people to park anywhere and everywhere. According to the borough’s website, the State College Parking Department said it will not be enforcing the no parking from 2 to 6 a.m. rule or the one- and two-hour restrictions beginning at 2 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17. But, all restrictions go back into place at 6 a.m. Aug. 20, and no lawn parking will be permitted.
All Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and “No Parking Anytime” violations will be strictly enforced. Loading zones in the downtown parking areas remain for commercial vehicle use only.
The borough still will be enforcing violations of the “no parking” rules on sidewalks, within intersections, on crosswalks, within 20 feet of crosswalks at intersections, within 30 feet of stop signs, more than 12 inches from curbs, against traffic or in front of driveways.
Parking meters on the streets and in parking lots will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Move-in traffic may be affected by roadwork that is still occurring.
According to the borough website, as part of the Atherton Street project, drivers can expect the long-term/far left lane closure to remain in place between West Aaron Drive and West North Hills Place. There will be two lanes in and two lanes out when the contractor is not working, and two lanes in and one lane out when work is taking place. No other closures will take place Aug. 17.
Outside of the borough, on Route 26 at the Bellefonte interchange, drivers can expect overnight paving Thursday night into Friday morning, Aug. 16 and 17.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation encourages drivers to “know before they go” and to check conditions by visiting 511PA.com. The website provides round-the-clock traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras.
511PA also is available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 511 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
