Major Construction Projects Slated for UA, UAHS This Summer

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University of Arizona faculty and staff will see some changes to their commutes and campus navigation routines this summer.

With the UA's student population going from more than 40,000 during the school year to approximately 12,000 each summer, the logistical elements are much easier to implement during that timeframe, says Rick Harbaugh, senior operations manager for Parking and Transportation Services.

"We see our campus population reduced by about 70 percent and we scale back our shuttle routes, so we tend to get a lot done over the summer," Harbaugh said.

The most complex project will take place near Elm Street and Campbell Avenue to straighten the Ring Road entrance into Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. The realignment of that entranceway will likely begin sometime near the end of May and last two months, starting with a number of demolition projects and then actual roadway construction.

Occasional road closures and delays will occur as the entranceway is shifted north. Access to the Banner Hospital Staff Parking Garage near the northwest curve of Ring Road will be affected, as well.

Elsewhere on campus, construction is scheduled to begin soon after Commencement near the intersection of Fourth Street and Cherry Avenue through to National Championship Drive to rework some drainage and gas lines.

"This project was originally slated to begin earlier with full closures, but it would have caused too much congestion with Spring Fling and Commencement going on," Harbaugh said.

The project is scheduled to take six weeks, with the Fourth and Cherry intersection to be closed for much of that time. The Cherry Avenue Garage will close one of its exits, but the exit that feeds onto National Championship Drive will remain open. Many of the campus shuttles that pass through that area will shift their paths toward Campbell Avenue.

Also in this area, construction on the UA football team's indoor practice facility and upgrades to the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center likely will affect commuters. The street parking on National Championship Drive will be closed, but traffic will remain open with occasional restrictions.

Later in the summer, construction on the Student Success District will likely result in traffic restrictions along Fourth Street between Highland and Cherry avenues. Harbaugh said there is no definite start date for this project, but currently is slated for the second half of July.

Intermittent delays and restrictions will occur throughout campus as Southwest Gas disconnects old gas lines and installs new ones to accommodate the Banner community. These various one-week projects will take place throughout the summer and should be finished before the start of the fall semester.

For more information and updates on construction projects happening on campus, visit the frequently updated Planning, Design and Construction website.