Summer projects will close roads, sidewalks

As certain as flip flops and iced coffee, summer also means a few road construction projects around campus. Here are details on three significant ones that may impact your commute to campus.

West side of campus: West end of Osborn Drive

Plans to improve electrical service to the northwest part of campus will set up construction zones along the east side of Bissell Road during the next 45 days.

Where is that?

This campus map (PDF) provides a visual of when and where lane or road closures will occur this summer (scroll down to see the South 16th Street project).

The west end of Osborn Drive is scheduled to be closed for 14 days after the July Fourth holiday weekend. Pammel Drive at Bissell Road will remain open when the work moves there near the end of July, but lane closures will create a single lane of traffic in each direction.

During the project, pedestrians should expect temporary sidewalk closures at these locations:

  • From the front (west) doors of Sweeney Hall north to Osborn Drive
  • From the north side of the Armory east to Hach Hall

Drivers can expect temporary lane or driveway closures at these locations:

  • Coover/Sweeney driveway
  • Osborn Drive
  • Pammel Drive
  • Armory west parking lot
  • Armory north parking lot

East side of campus: University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Stange Road

Concrete patching work on University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Stange Road is scheduled to begin July 15 and be completed in two phases. Phase 1 includes work between Lincoln Way and Sixth Street. To shorten the duration and maximize the construction quality of Phase 1, this section of University Boulevard will be closed for an anticipated 10-14 days. Alternate routes onto campus will include Beach Road, N. Hazel Road to Sixth Street, or Grand Avenue to Sixth or 13th streets. Phase 2 construction (Sixth Street to just west of Stange Road) will require lane closures in late July/early August with a single lane of traffic in each direction.

Veterinary Medicine campus: South 16th Street/Christensen Drive/South Riverside Drive

This project features several improvements to improve traffic flow through the South 16th Street corridor, including:

  • Widen the approaches on South Riverside Drive (Vet Med entrance A) at South 16th Street
  • Construct a right turn lane on Christensen Drive (Vet Med entrance B) at South 16th Street
  • Lengthen the right turn lane on South 16th Street at University Boulevard

The work is scheduled to begin in early July and last approximately three weeks. Work on Christensen and Riverside drives will require road closures, so a temporary drive will be constructed across the grass lot between the two roads to provide access to the Veterinary Medicine campus. Lane closures will be necessary to complete the right turn lane extension at University Boulevard.