Upcoming traffic, parking, transit impacts related to Chandler Hospital expansion projects
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 2, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital expansion and its enabling projects are now underway. Once completed, the expansion is expected to raise the medical campus’s number of hospital beds to approximately 1,400, significantly enhancing UK HealthCare’s ability to offer specialty care to Kentuckians.
As with any large-scale construction project, traffic, parking and transit disruptions are expected throughout the construction period.
University Drive Garage demolition
On July 13, University Drive Garage (PS #1) will permanently close to facilitate construction of the new Central Utility Plant. Parking on Veterans Drive adjacent to the garage will also be eliminated. To offset the loss of these 812 spaces, the Kroger Field North Red Lot, located diagonally across the University Drive and Cooper Drive intersection, and the University Drive on-street parking spaces south of Cooper Drive, totaling 842 spaces, will be converted to employee periphery (EK) permit parking.
Displaced employees may choose to retain their employee intermediate (E) parking permit at $42/month, which provides campus-wide parking options if flexibility to move about campus is necessary or desired (such as parking in the vicinity of Good Samaritan Hospital, as an example). Or employees may choose to switch to an employee periphery permit (EK) at a discounted price of $34/month, authorizing parking in the North Red Lot, Orange Lot and adjacent on-street parking.
Students who previously parked in the Red Lot will be relocated into the expanded Sports Center Garage, which is scheduled to open prior to the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
University Drive traffic changes
Beginning in mid-June, southbound University Drive between Cooper and Complex drives and adjacent parallel parking will close to enable relocation of underground utilities. During this phase, both directions of traffic will transition to the northbound side of the roadway.
UK Transportation Services is working to mitigate these impacts as efficiently as possible. Additional details will be shared throughout the summer to keep permit holders appraised of upcoming changes. To receive these updates, subscribe to UK Transportation Services’ e-news, and follow on X and Instagram. If you have questions, please email transportation@uky.edu.
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.