Lexington Sewer Project to Impact Campus Traffic

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 6, 2020) — The University of Kentucky community was notified via email yesterday of upcoming traffic impacts on and near campus from the Lexington sewer project.  That email is below.

Campus Community,

The sanitary sewer replacement project underway by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is advancing further into the University of Kentucky campus starting Monday, March 9, when a portion of Avenue of Champions will be reduced to one lane. Furthermore, the project will require closing South Upper at Winslow for the weekend that begins Friday, March 13.

For more information on vehicle and pedestrian traffic, please read the news release below issued by the city Wednesday afternoon. Please view a map of the impacted areas here. For ongoing information, please visit the city’s special website: LexingtonKY.gov/EuclidSewer The sewer project will have these impacts on UK’s bus routes: The campus Blue (14) and Yellow (27) Routes will be impacted during work on Avenue of Champions. Blue Route buses, which travel on South Limestone and typically turn right onto Avenue of Champions will instead be diverted to Vine Street, bypassing Avenue of Champions entirely. The buses will turn right onto Vine and right onto Rose Street. Weekend Yellow Route buses will also detour to Vine Street and travel right onto Rose Street.  View a map here. Bus stops on Avenue of Champions near the Gatton Student Center will be unavailable during this work. Students are encouraged to use the existing bus stop near Jewell Hall as an alternative to the ones on Avenue of Champions. In addition, temporary bus stops will be added near Holmes Hall on South Limestone and near the Singletary Center on Rose Street.

Upcoming traffic changes on Upper Street and Avenue of Champions

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2020) – Lexington visitors and commuters will notice traffic changes in the University of Kentucky area soon. Avenue of Champions, from South Limestone to Lexington Avenue, will be restricted to one-way traffic beginning Monday, March 9. The intersection of South Upper and Winslow streets will be closed starting at 7 p.m., Friday, March 13, through the weekend. These temporary changes are needed to facilitate sewer line construction.

Avenue of Champions

Starting March 9, Avenue of Champions will be one-way westbound (toward Limestone), beginning at Lexington Avenue. The car and bike lane on the south (Gatton Student Center) side of Avenue of Champions will be fenced off and closed for sewer construction. Traffic from Limestone will not be able to turn right onto Avenue of Champions and must use Maxwell Street as a detour.

To cross Avenue of Champions, pedestrians should use the crosswalks at Limestone and Lexington Avenue. Sidewalks will remain open on both sides of Avenue of Champions as long as they are safe. 

The Limestone to Lexington Avenue section of the sewer construction along Avenue of Champions is expected to be complete in the fall.

South Upper/Winslow intersection closing

A new manhole will be installed on South Upper Street, and 40 feet of pipe will be laid to connect the manhole to the Winslow sewer starting at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13. Upper will be closed at Winslow, and Winslow will be closed from Jersey to Upper to accommodate this work.

South Upper and Winslow are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday, March 16.  Contractors hope to finish the work during the weekend. However, weather or conditions beneath the road may slow progress. If the project isn’t completed over the weekend, nightly shutdowns will be scheduled to allow for completion.

Project progress

“While we realize that this is a lot of change at one time, it’s an unavoidable consequence in replacing an 80-year-old sewer line,” said Charles Martin, director of the Division of Water Quality.  “The cooperation and patience of everyone has been fantastic and is a big reason why we’re off to a fast start and trending slightly ahead of schedule.”

Construction of the Euclid sewer project began several weeks ago and is currently moving at a faster pace than expected. This work is the first phase of Lexington’s multi-year project to replace two miles of sanitary sewer line from Oliver Lewis Way to Tates Creek Road, through the University of Kentucky campus and the Euclid business district.

Drivers should be extra cautious in construction areas. Slow down and watch for cyclists and pedestrians.

The original sanitary sewer was built in 1934 and is in disrepair, with defects and leaks that are difficult to reach. While this sanitary sewer project will be disruptive in the short term, it will improve Lexington’s water quality in the future. Lexington is under a federal court order to improve its sewers to improve water quality in our local creeks.

Lexington residents, commuters and visitors are encouraged to visit LexingtonKY.gov/EuclidSewer for traffic information and updates about the project