Upcoming road closures and detours starting July 22

Here are updates on the ongoing and upcoming construction projects that affect campus traffic patterns. Reminder: project dates are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Central campus projects

Northbound Charter Street from University Avenue to Observatory Drive

Beginning Tuesday, July 23, the northbound lane of Charter Street from University Avenue to Observatory Drive will be closed. Utility work related to the Lathrop-Bascom project will take place and manholes replaced. Only southbound traffic will be allowed on Charter Street in the affected area. The project is expected to last two weeks.

Northbound vehicle traffic–including bicycles–can detour to Babcock Drive or Park Street to reach Observatory Drive. Those who need access to areas along the open section of Linden Drive (such as Nancy Nicholas Hall, Van Hise, and the Middleton Building) can use Henry Mall.

The northbound lane closure will affect various Metro transit bus routes. See the Metro Transit detour page for information as it becomes available.

Pedestrians should continue to use the west side sidewalk along Charter Street. The east sidewalk is open starting at Sterling Hall, but remains closed in front of Chamberlain Hall.

Linden Drive storm drain replacement

As of the week of July 22, work will still be ongoing for the storm drain project on Linden Drive between Babcock Drive and Henry Mall. The area is closed to two-way traffic. Westbound and eastbound traffic should take an alternate route, such as Observatory Drive between Babcock and Charter. The north sidewalk is open, but access may be unavailable on parts of the south sidewalk.

Many Metro Transit bus routes that use this travel corridor–including the campus Route 80–detour to Observatory Drive during this project. Some additional detours may be in place for westbound routes that originally traveled northbound on Charter Street between University Avenue and Linden Drive. See the Metro Transit detour page for information as it becomes available.

The map below shows potential travel routes in and around central campus while the Linden Drive and the Charter Street projects overlap.


Click on the image above to enlarge or click here to view the Charter/Linden traffic plan map.

Southeast campus projects

Dayton Street utility project and the Nicholas Recreation Center update

Work continues on the Dayton Street utility replacement project and the construction of the new Nicholas Recreation Center.

  • Starting Monday, July 22, two-way traffic is closed on Dayton Street from Park Street to Lake Street and Lake Street to Frances Street. Local traffic for Lots 48, 78, and 88 and delivery trucks is allowed only along Lake Street, then to a lane of Dayton Street. This closure is expected to last three weeks. Pedestrian access is available–following signage on site.
  • During approximately the fourth week (around the week of August 12), two-way access on Dayton Street from Frances Street to East Campus Mall will reopen. Dayton Street from Park Street to East Campus Mall will remain completely closed for another one to two weeks.
  • Northbound access on Mills Street across Dayton Street is expected to reopen on July 26.


Click on the above image to enlarge or click here to view a Dayton Street traffic overview map.

RELATED RESOURCES