As hundreds of college and university students start to move back in for a new school year, expect heavy traffic and some road closures in Waterloo and Guelph.

The cities have designated this weekend as "move-in" weekend for students and as a result have made some changes to street availability.

In Waterloo, traffic will be redirected around the Columbia Street, King Street and University Avenue areas to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

"The area around Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo are going to be very busy with a lot of traffic Saturday and Sunday," said Shayne Turner, director of municipal enforcement services.

"If you don't need to be in that area and can find alternative routes to get past the area, [that] would be very beneficial."

In Guelph, move-in day for new students will be Saturday, starting at 8 a.m. Upper-year students will move in the following day, the University of Guelph said.

Direction and parking changes are in effect this weekend as road accessibility is changed to allow for student move-in days. (CBC) The university has also allowed a large number of students to move in as early as Friday. Buses will not travel onto the campus during move-in weekend in Guelph.

Road changes in Waterloo

Lester Street

Lester Street will be designated a one-way street over the weekend, northbound traffic only from Seagram Drive to Columbia Street.

No access to Lester Street from University Avenue.

No access to Lester Street from Columbia Street.

No left turns onto Columbia Street from Lester Street.

No left turns onto University Avenue from Lester Street.

Spruce Street

Spruce Street will also operate as a one-way street from Hickory Street to Columbia Street. Northbound traffic only.

No access to Spruce Street from Columbia Street.

Sunview Street

No left turns from Columbia Street to Sunview Street.

Regina Street N.

No right turns onto Regina Street N. from University Avenue.

Regina Street will also be a one way street. Southbound traffic only.

No parking

Bricker Avenue from King Street to Clayfield Street.

Regina Street from University Avenue to Hickory Street.

Marshall Street from Brighton Street to Regina Street.

Balsam Street from Hazel Street to Hemlock Street.

Larch Street from Balsam Street to Hickory Street.

Road changes in Guelph

Gordon Street

On Saturday, Gordon Street will be closed between Stone Road and College Avenue to help reduce traffic around the campus.

Cyclists and pedestrians on Gordon Street should be extra cautious at intersections, particularly South Ring Road and College Avenue.

Heavy traffic

Expect heavier than normal traffic on roads around the University of Guelph including: Stone Road, College Avenue, University Avenue, Smith Lane and Victoria Road.

University owned roads