William East Walsh Ave
"Bank United Center Gateway"
Like Walsh Ave. it is only busy on days with events at the Bank United Center. In fact, part of the road is frequently closed during political rallies as safety precautions. This happened during then-Democratic Candidate Barack Obama and John McCain's visits to UM. On non-event days, it is not busy and actually is very scenic. At the middle of the traffic circle in front of the arena is a beaufitul display with flags of the state of Florida and the United States. The road connects Ponce de Leon Avenue with the Bank United Center and is located almost directly across from the Miami Metrorail's University Station. The metrorail provides great access to the arena and pedestrians often walk on the sidewalks along Dauer Drive and to the arena. The issue with this street is that there is no access to US1 without going on Ponce de Leon, makng for a slow commute from the arena.
Pavia St
"A Service-filled Road"
Pavia Street is one of my favorites. It is the first street that I ever set foot on on my first year at UM. Why is this? Well, it is the location of on of two on-campus parking garages. This one (aptly named the Pavia Garage) and the Ponce Garage, located on Ponce de Leon. Also on this road is the Health Center and pharmacy. As stated on other campus road reviews, it is only busy during the school year. However, due to the parking garage located on its road, it is also frequently traveled during the summer session because summer students and staff will park here. One thing to note about the garage, it is closed on Sundays.
Merrick Dr
"A connector to the main roads"
This street is an important street to keep the university functioning. On it is the Center for Student Services, which houses the UM Honors Department, Disability Services, and other administration posts. Like all UM streets on campus, it is not busy when school is not in session. However, during school, especially move in when approximately 5,000 students move in to campus housing every year, it can be very busy. Merrick is unlike Stanford Drive, Dickinson Drive, and Memorial Drive because it does not house any student living or classroom facilities. This makes it less busy than the others, but it can still be crowded during events on campus, especially at the nearby Bank United Center.
Merrick Dr
"A little (but useful) street on campus"
It is one of the few through streets connecting Dickinson Drive and Stanford Drive. Be careful, near the Architecture Building, the road is only one way (from Dickinson to Stanford, not vice versa). Eaton Residential College, as well as the Center for Student Services is located on this street. Like most campus streets, it is only busy during the weekdays during the academic year. It is especially busy the third week in August and the second week in May when move in and move out of the campus residences occurs.
San Amaro Dr
"The Academic Side of Campus"
Memorial Drive is busy during the academic year (especially August-May) with students as it connects the law school, Ungar Mathematics Building, Cox Science Building, McArthur Engineering Building, and the back of the Richter Library. It is home to two stops on the Hurrycane shuttle system: The Law School and the Fountain Stop. This, along with car and pedestrian traffic, makes this a very busy street during the day. It is almost dead at night, except for the occasional jogger. The fountain at the end of the street is a great photo opportunity and makes it a beautiful part of the University of Miami campus.
Wmm East Walsh Ave
"Only busy on gamenights"
Walsh Avenue runs right in front of Miami's Bank United Center. NOTE:The name of the arena will most cetainly change as Bank United has collapsed. This street is usually only used by UM Maintenence and construction vehicles on most days, however it can be very busy when there are events such as political rallies, sporting events, speakers, and concerts at the arena.
There is pedestrian traffic on these event nights and during the weekdays when students are going to class. Don't park on the street! Instead, park in the large parking lot in front of the Bank United Center.
Brescia Ave
"Part of Miami's Frat Row"
This street is in some need of repair. The road itself is good, but the buildings (with the exception of the Sigma Chi fraternity house) are in need of some repair. There is current construction (as of June 2009) on the eastern side of the road which has caused some delays as residents use this street to skip some of the traffic on either US1 or Ponce de Leon. The street is busy with pedestrian traffic at night when Sigma Chi throws parties and when the UM baseball team has games. It is also common to see joggers and bikers on this road, so beware of the pedestrian cutting across the road. It is a typical street around UM, busy with student activities but otherwise quiet. Unlike others, it is in need of some repair.
College Dr
"Where freshmen roam"
This street is home to both Hecht and Stanford Residential Colleges as well as the dining hall associated with the primarily freshman dorms. It receives mild traffic, mostly from taxis for students heading out for the night and delivery trucks during the day. On move in days in August and move out in May, the street is packed with cars, vans, and trucks. There is no parking available on the street, unless one would like to receive a ticket. Instead, there is a parking lot located right next to the street and one near the dining hall.
It is a great place to pass friends as students are heading to campus. The only problem is the smell. Since it is located next to large dumpster and disposal facilities for the dining hall and residential college waste, it has an odor of sulfur, especially during the hot summer months.