Raymond Avenue Revitalization

After much consideration, the New York State Department of Transportation began construction this summer on two roundabouts on Raymond Avenue, the road that passes in front of Main Gate.

One of the roundabouts will be at the intersection of Raymond and College Avenues, and another will be in front of Main Gate.

In late fall, when this phase of construction ends, Raymond Avenue will look much different than it does now. The road will be reduced from four to two lanes, and there will be wide sidewalks on both sides of the street, increased lighting, and a median in the middle to serve as a point of refuge for crossing students and faculty. The roundabouts will at once slow the speed of traffic to make Raymond a safer place for pedestrians, and make traffic lights unnecessary, so it should take about as long to drive down the street as it did before construction.

The work being done to Raymond Avenue now is just part of a larger plan to make the street more beautiful and more safe, and to revitalize the Arlington Business District, which is adjacent to the Vassar campus.

Images courtesy of the New York State Department of Transportation