AH!
I know that one too. The place that always has a puddle at the bottom. You definately need to take the lane. That is a very dangerous spot mixed with rushed, lunatic drivers. Be careful.
Years ago I used to commute to work on Walsh & Lafayette. Alternate routes down Coleman or around the airport might work.
One time for kicks, southbound I took the pedestrian RR crossing up and over the tracks. It seemed like it took 5 minutes to cross the tracks. Not a good setup for pedestrians.
Later
Steve