Construction at UK will affect traffic patterns starting Monday. What to know

Construction related to a UK infrastructure project is scheduled to begin Monday, and it will affect traffic, parking and pedestrian accessibility.

Starting June 15, construction will close the southbound lane of University Drive between Complex Drive and Cooper Drive. To facilitate continued two-way travel on the road, on-street parking and bicycle lanes will be used to accommodate the northbound lane.

While the accommodations will continue to allow both northbound and southbound travel, the altered lanes will be narrowed, and turn lanes will be eliminated for southbound traffic at Cooper Drive, according to UK.

The University Drive garage is scheduled to permanently close starting July 13 to accommodate construction. While crews will begin working on the site June 15, a UK statement said the garage and nearby parking will remain mostly open and available until mid-July, though entry and exit from the garage will be affected.

Sidewalks on the western side of University Drive along the closed portion of the road will also be closed. Additionally, the western crosswalk at Cooper Drive will be closed the week of June 15 for tree removal and fencing installation. Pedestrians will be rerouted along the eastern side of University Drive.

UK has recommended avoiding the closed portion of University Drive to limit congestion and has asked employees who regularly park at the University Drive garage to consider other options. As some alternative parking options are farther away, UK has posted a recommended walking path or using the Orange Route shuttle.

The construction is expected to last a year as water lines along University Drive will be rerouted and upgraded. These updates are necessary to support the planned expansion of UK Chandler Hospital and the development of the South Campus, according to UK.

UK has said it will share addition details and updates as construction progresses.