Dorm day will tie up traffic on busy street.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Motorists are being advised to avoid Franklin Boulevard near the University of Oregon on Thursday when thousands of new students will be moving into residence halls along Agate Street.

The annual move-in day typically causes traffic to back up on Franklin Boulevard for many blocks, and slow-downs occur throughout the campus area.

This year's problems could be even greater because even more students than usual have signed up for dormitory rooms.

To help ease the snarl, the right lane of Franklin Boulevard eastbound will be dedicated to residence hall traffic up to Agate Street.

Also, recent traffic changes mean that westbound traffic no longer can turn left at Agate Street and must turn one block sooner at the former Williams' Bakery, then use East 13th Avenue to reach Agate Street. The change could add to congestion if drivers miss the correct turn.

Those who need to be in the area should use the north-side lanes on Franklin Boulevard - the lefthand lane for eastbound drivers and righthand lane for westbound drivers - and be prepared for delays.