Alumni Drive Reconstruction, Realignment Project Promises Safer, Better Transportation Artery

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 4, 2015) — Gov. Steve Beshear, University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray — joined by key state legislators — announced Monday the start of work on the realignment of Alumni Drive between Tates Creek and Nicholasville Roads.

The $5 million project is slated for completion by Sept. 1, in time for the start of the UK football season. Beshear, Gray and Capilouto were joined at the announcement and ceremonial groundbreaking Monday by Sen. Reginald Thomas and Rep. Kelly Flood, both instrumental in the project.

"Alumni Drive serves as one of the gateways to our campus,” Capilouto said. "We look forward to the project’s completion in September, at which point we will have a safer, more functional route for the UK family and the many who visit our campus and the Arboretum every day." 

The project, which is funded through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and was approved during the 2014 legislative session, was a priority for Sen. Thomas and Rep. Flood as well as Gov. Beshear, who authorized the project.

“Once this project is complete, all travelers along Alumni Drive — whether on foot, on bicycles, or in vehicles — will enjoy a friendlier, safer trip,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Like many of our road improvements, this project will improve access and safety but will also encourage citizens to enjoy nearby recreational spaces.”

Key features of the realignment project include:

• The reconstruction and realignment project is designed to help calm traffic on Alumni Drive, a major connector road that serves 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day. The realigned road also is expected to slow vehicular speeds, and the new design features will include enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
• At the intersections of College Way and University Drive, roundabouts – also known as traffic circles – will replace existing stop signs.
• The road changes will also include moving College Way to the west, along with creating new entrances to the Commonwealth Stadium Blue Lot and to athletics facilities.
• The improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the corridor will provide safe connections to existing facilities, as well as opportunities for recreational use.
• Additionally, the improvements will include an ADA-accessible route from main campus to the Arboretum.

"It was a great pleasure to work with Governor Beshear, Mayor Gray and the University of Kentucky on behalf of this project, which will improve traffic flow and the safety of our community,” said Sen. Reginald Thomas. "This project has been a high priority, and I look forward to seeing its completion in September in time for the start of the home football season.

"The Alumni Drive redirection and realignment project will provide enormous benefits for our community, most notably by increasing the safety of a major connector road. I'm proud to have worked with Governor Beshear, other members of the Fayette legislative delegation, Mayor Gray and UK in obtaining the funding for this important initiative,” said Rep. Flood, whose district includes Alumni Drive and the campus.

Alumni Drive will be closed beginning Sunday, May 10, with traffic being re-routed through the immediate area. Access to the Arboretum will be maintained at all times via Tates Creek Road. The Lexington Senior Center will be accessible from Nicholasville Road. Additionally, the other occupied buildings on Alumni Drive – a child care center and UK graduate housing – will be accessible throughout the project.

“Alumni Drive is a significant corridor for Lexington, connecting neighborhoods, businesses, the Arboretum and the UK campus,” Mayor Jim Gray said. “For many citizens, this project will require a major adjustment to travel routes for the next several months.”

Maps and more detailed information on the project can be found at construction.uky.edu and a fact sheet is available at: http://uknow.uky.edu/content/fact-sheet-alumni-drive-project. Those traveling in the area should plan accordingly and allow extra time.

For more information on the project visit: http://uknow.uky.edu/content/fact-sheet-alumni-drive-project. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:  Blair Hoover, blair.hoover@uky.edu; Rebecca Stratton, rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-323-2395; Kathy Johnson, 859-257-3155