Putting Safety First as We Build the West Tower

As work on the West Tower expansion progresses, the Main Campus is becoming an even busier place. With new routes opening up between the north and south ends of the Main Campus, employees and patient families will be sharing the roads and walkways with increased construction traffic and heavy vehicles.

“As we navigate the complexities that come with a project as large as the West Tower, a lot of change comes with it. We appreciate everyone's attention to these changes and the flexibility that is needed,” said Nick Markham, Vice President, Facilities/Campus Services. “Thank you for your help and support during the largest expansion ever at Cook Children’s!”

Our Cook Children’s values of safety and kindness can help us navigate these changes together. We want to ensure that every person—whether walking or driving—gets where they need to go.

• Plan Ahead: Please give yourself extra time to reach your destination to account for new routes and construction activity.
• Stay Informed: Bookmark the Construction Updates page on the Cook Children’s website to get the latest updates on traffic and pedestrian impacts.
• Follow Guidance: Follow all parking guidelines and instructions provided by our parking attendants and security officers. Consult Parking Guidelines MCV 252 on CookNet for guidance.
• Obey Signs: Follow all traffic lights, walking signals, and instructions from crossing guards.
• No piggybacking: Please do not allow non-employees or those without badges through badge-only access routes. Please do not prop open gates or doors.

To help everyone reach their destination safely and on time, please follow these guidelines while navigating our construction zones.

For Pedestrians

• Use Crosswalks Only: Cross at designated crosswalks or intersections. Never jaywalk or cross mid-block.
• Stick to the Path: Stay on sidewalks and painted walkways. Avoid shortcuts through parking lots or between parked cars where drivers can’t see you.
• Treat Aisles Like Roads: Construction vehicle lanes are active transit zones; stay alert when crossing them.
• Minimize Distractions: Keep your phone down and headphones out while walking and crossing.
• Stay Alert: Be mindful of construction vehicles and stay within designated pedestrian pathways.
• Report Hazards: If you see a crosswalk that is poorly lit, blocked, or unclearly marked, please notify the Safety or Facilities team.

For Drivers

• Yield to Pedestrians: Always give pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks and follow all crossing guard signals.
• Approach with Caution: Slow down at intersections. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the crosswalk until all pedestrians have cleared the path.
• Eyes on the Road: Don’t use your phone while driving. Stay alert for sudden changes in traffic or pedestrian flow.