Portion of Washington Avenue to Close on UK Campus Monday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 16, 2014) — Utility upgrades and construction of the new University of Kentucky Academic Science Building will require portions of Washington Avenue and Rose Street on UK's campus to close for an extended period of time.  The first phase of this work is slated to begin this week.

On Monday, June 16, Washington Avenue from South Limestone to Gladstone Avenue will close. This phase is scheduled to last until Friday, July 4. During this time, the Graham and Gladstone parking areas off Washington Avenue will only be accessible via Rose Street.

A map of the affected areas can be accessed here: http://construction.uky.edu/renderings/Utility_Roadwork_ASB.jpg.

Vehicle traffic will be rerouted along Huguelet Drive to Rose Street, with access at the east end of Washington Avenue.  See map here: http://construction.uky.edu/documents/WashingtonAvenueClosure_6-16-14.pdf. 

In response to the upcoming street closure, UK Parking and Transportation Services has announced that the CATS Summer/Break Route will now travel down Huguelet Drive instead of Washington Avenue, resulting in the addition of a bus stop at Scovell Hall and the elimination of the Donovan Hall and Washington Avenue stops.

The sidewalk that runs from South Limestone to Rose Street on the Scovell Hall side of the street will remain open throughout the project.

University of Kentucky Environmental Health & Safety has compiled a list of safety tips that pedestrians should keep in mind:

• Barriers are in place for a reason. Please respect all barriers and do not trespass or attempt to "shortcut" across any construction zones.
• Take extra precautions when walking along construction zones, particularly when approaching gates/openings in these zones.
• When construction activities result in sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours, follow the detours. Do not walk in areas not designated for pedestrians.
• Cross streets only at designated crosswalks.
• While it is always safest to walk on a sidewalk or designated pedestrian area, if for some reason you must walk in a street, walk facing traffic.
• Distracted walking caused by using a cell phone can be as dangerous as driving while distracted. Attention to your surroundings while walking and crossing streets will keep you safer.

To report any unsafe conditions to University of Kentucky Environmental Health & Safety, call (859) 257-3827.

More information about road closures, detours, utility work and the construction projects of the Academic Science Building, Commonwealth Stadium, Gatton College of Business and Economics Building and University Lofts Building can be found here: http://construction.uky.edu/projects.aspx.

If you want information about traffic impact only, please visit: http://construction.uky.edu/projects.aspx?ProjID=6.

If you want regular email updates about campus construction and its impact on traffic, please visit http://construction.uky.edu/contact.aspx to sign up for a listserv.