Campus News

University Drive Garage closure scheduled for July 13

Map of University Drive Garage closure, traffic detours and pedestrian routes near UK HealthCare.
Graphic by Callie Brown.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 10. 2026) — University Drive Garage (PS #1), adjacent Veterans Drive on-street parking and portions of the Garrigus Lot and Ag Greenhouse area parking, will permanently close at 10 p.m. Monday, July 13.

As previously announced, these closures are in support of the Albert B. Chandler Hospital expansion project. The garage will be demolished to make room for the hospital expansion and its enabling projects, which will increase the number of Chandler hospital beds to approximately 1,400.

What you need to know

Parking changes

  • University Drive Garage will permanently close at 10 p.m. Monday, July 13.

  • Veterans Drive on-street parking adjacent to the garage will also be eliminated.

  • Portions of the Garrigus Lot and Ag Greenhouse area parking will permanently close at 10 p.m. July 13.

  • All vehicles must be removed from the affected parking areas prior to 10 p.m.

  • Employees may choose to park in other employee parking areas, such as the Kroger Field Orange Lot, North Red Lot or Gluck Lot.

  • As a reminder, employee intermediate (E) permit holders are also eligible to park in employee periphery (EK) designated parking areas.

Pedestrian impacts

  • The Cooper Drive underpass will close at the same time as University Drive Garage (PS #1) and other parking areas (10 p.m. Monday, July 13). See guidance below for recommended walking paths.

Commuting options

Park & Ride (Bus)

Permit holders who prefer to park and ride should consider parking in the Kroger Field Orange Lot and utilizing the Orange Route shuttle, which starts service at 5 a.m. weekdays. The Orange Route shuttle also picks up in at the North Red Lot stop starting at 8 a.m. weekdays.

Park & Stride (Walk)

Permit holders who prefer to park and stride (walk) or those who arrive at work after 8 a.m. may want to consider parking in the North Red Lot and utilizing recommended walking paths. They could also choose to park in the Gluck Lot and walk to campus that way. See graphic above for details.

Travel tips

  • Consider avoiding University Drive between Complex and Cooper drives, when possible, to allow greater access for local traffic, transit, delivery and emergency vehicles when possible.
  • Allow extra time in your schedule to accommodate these changes.
  • Watch for changing traffic patterns and construction activity.

For additional details about these changes, as well as a list of frequently asked questions, visit transportation.uky.edu/chandler-hospital-expansion-parking-impacts.

University Capital Construction and Transportation Services continue to work closely with the construction team to mitigate these impacts. Additional details will be shared throughout construction period. To receive these updates, subscribe to UK Transportation Services’ e-news and follow on X and Instagram.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.