photo by: University of Kansas

Routes for entering and exiting KU's Daisy Hill dormitory district are shown for 2023 move-in dates in August.

Move-in week has arrived for students living in University of Kansas dormitories, which means Lawrence motorists should expect delays on several major roadways.

KU leaders are expecting thousands of freshmen and other dormitory residents to arrive in waves on Thursday and Friday. Traffic congestion will be heaviest near the Daisy Hill dormitory district at 15th and Iowa streets.

Traffic will be particularly heavy near the Lied Center on KU’s West Campus. In a change from past years, the Lied Center will serve as the check-in point for students and their families as they make their way to the Daisy Hill district. That means traffic is likely to back up onto Crestline Drive and onto Bob Billings Parkway as students arrive at the check-in area.

KU said the bulk of the check-in process would occur between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday.

Motorists also should expect heavy traffic on Naismith Drive. Upon completion of move-in, students and families are being directed to the large parking lot across the street from Allen Fieldhouse, which is north of the 19th Street and Naismith Drive area. KU will direct exiting dormitory traffic to go east on 15th Street and then south on Naismith Drive.

KU will be offering shuttle buses back to the Daisy Hill area and also will be marking a walking path and providing water to those who want to walk back to the area.

Using the lot near Allen Fieldhouse is a new part of the move-in process this year. KU previously has used its Park & Ride lot and the roads on West Campus for the check-in area, and used the Lied Center parking lot as a place for students and families to park upon completion. However, the Park & Ride lot and much of West Campus is now under construction as part of The Crossing project, a new residential, retail, research and office development.

While the Daisy Hill district, which includes six dormitories, is expected to be the busiest area for motorists, KU officials also said the areas near 11th and Louisiana and 19th Street and Ousdahl Road also are expected to have some congestion. Both those areas include residence halls and student apartments.

Historically, KU has about 5,000 students living on campus. Classes at KU begin on Monday, Aug. 21.