Issue date: 8/20/08 Section: NEWS

The streets of Denton might be frustrating for incoming students and new Denton residents to navigate. One-way streets and constant construction projects can prove to be obstacles to learning the city's layout.

With two universities and more than 47,000 students, the area is inundated with commuting workers and working students. The town is constantly changing shape and routes. Below is a breakdown of quicker routes to avoid the infamous Loop 288 trap and navigate the tangled web of roads in this growing Texas town:

The first and most well-known "shortcut" to the Golden Triangle Mall, now as frequently traveled as 288's strangled stretch, begins at Eagle Drive and Carroll Boulevard. To reach Wal-Mart, Petsmart, OfficeMax, GameStop and other stores on the Loop, begin by driving east on Eagle Drive. Take a right onto Dallas Drive, left on Teasley Lane and curve right onto Shady Oaks Drive. Turn right on Colorado Boulevard, left on Spencer Road and make a right on Loop 288 to reach Wal-Mart and its neighboring stores. Or from Colorado Boulevard, take a final right onto San Jacinto Boulevard, where Jessica Goins, a junior English major said, "you can find Golden Triangle Mall and Brunswick Zone Bowling."

To reach Old Navy, Sports Authority, Kroger and Chipotle, follow the above route headed toward Golden Triangle Mall but after making a left on Spencer Road, turn right on Brinker Road to drive through the heart of commercial central.

Nearer campus, traffic routes are not nearly as complicated, just slower because of the reduced speed limit and school zones.

Avenue C, branching north from Eagle Drive, runs straight through campus; however, as with most roads in the campus' vicinity, a 20 mph speed limit stands and is enforced by UNT police.

Additionally, after Avenue C crosses Oak Street, it becomes Jagoe Street. After crossing Scripture Street, it becomes Malone Street, which intersects University Drive, a prime spot for the Movie Tavern, Whataburger, Subway, Sonic, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Wendy's and Taco Bueno all near this intersection.

For those visiting Frisco's shopping areas, Tom Johnson, a senior international studies major said, "I usually take 380 to the Dallas North Tollway to get to IKEA and to Frisco's Stonebriar."

Highway 380 is also known as University Drive in Denton.

"After 4 p.m. on weekdays, I'd avoid 380 completely," Johnson said.

The downfall of 380/University Drive is its high traffic and multiple stoplights, but to bypass these hang-ups after 4 p.m., an easy shortcut from Eagle Drive is a quick left onto Bell Avenue, which becomes Mingo Road and intersects 380/University Drive. After a right turn, you are pointed east and can pick up the Dallas North Tollway for a straight southward shot into Frisco for Stonebriar Mall.

Denton is crisscrossed and covered with one-way street signs. As a general reference to navigating the city, University Drive, Oak Street, Hickory Street and Eagle Drive run east and west. Elm Street runs one way south, and Locust Street runs one way north.

With all Denton's quirks and small-town feel, back roads and shortcuts are essential to a driver's stress free ride - this quick trip guide is here to help.

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