Officials with the University of Kentucky presented a $5 million construction plan to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council Tuesday on improving Alumni Drive.
The affected section runs between Tates Creek Road and Nicholasville Road, and passes many of the University’s athletic fields. Highlights of the project include widening the road to accommodate bike lanes and installing roundabouts on intersections with University Drive and College Way. Brad Johnson, an official with construction company CDM Smith, says they plan to build during the summer and close off Alumni drive in phases.
“It’s an aggressive schedule, but we felt it was better to get in there during the summer when traffic is lower, get in and get out, is really the approach to take,” he said.
After a four-week mobilization, the construction is set to begin May 10th, with an estimated completion date of September 4th. Johnson says even when Alumni Drive is closed, they will maintain access to the Arboretum, via Tates Creek Road, as well as Greg Page Apartments and the day-care center. Approximately 18,000 cars travel the street daily.
