Observatory Drive and Linden Drive closures to impact travel

Update, October 31:

Due to construction issues, a stretch of eastbound Observatory Drive near Ingraham Hall and the Sewell Social Science Building will remain closed until November 17.

Please also note that part of Linden Drive between Agriculture Hall and the Microbial Sciences Building is currently closed in both directions (see original post below).

  • Drivers on the west side of campus who must travel east are strongly encouraged to use Walnut Street to reach University Avenue/Johnson Street.
  • Drivers in central campus who must travel east should continue to detour via Charter Street to reach Johnson Street.

Please expect congestion and delays during peak traffic periods.

Update: Observatory closure near Charter Street, 2022For more information on ongoing closures and detours, please see the campus lot and street impacts/closures map or visit the campus construction impacts webpage.


Original text, October 26:

Two construction projects in the central campus area will impact pedestrians, bicycles, buses, and vehicles in late October and early November. Please see more information below.

Observatory Drive, October 28-29

A stretch of Observatory Drive near Ingraham Hall and the Sewell Social Science Building is closed eastbound through Sunday, October 30, and the westbound lane in this area will also be closed Friday and Saturday, October 28-29.

Vehicles traveling east on Observatory Drive should continue to detour via Charter Street to Johnson Street.

From October 28-29, vehicles should avoid Observatory Drive between Park Street and Charter Street except to access Lots 9, 10, and 11 via Park Street.

Metro Transit bus routes 80 and 82 will detour October 28-29. Detour information will be published at the Metro Transit website.

Through October 30, the southern sidewalk in this area of Observatory Drive will remain open and the northern sidewalk will remain closed.

Observatory Drive will fully reopen on Monday, October 31.

Linden Drive, October 31 through mid-November

Part of Linden Drive between Agriculture Hall and the Microbial Sciences Building will be closed for approximately 3 – 4 weeks, starting Monday, October 31.

Both traffic lanes will be affected by this closure. Eastbound vehicles on the upper side of central campus must use Observatory Drive to reach Charter Street. Vehicles traveling west on Linden Drive near Charter Street must turn onto Henry Mall.

Lot 30 will be accessible only via Babcock Drive. Lots 21, 23, and 27 will be accessible only via Charter Street or Henry Mall.

Metro Transit bus routes 11, 38, 44, 80, and 84 are currently detouring in anticipation of this closure. Detour information is available at the Metro Transit website.

The northern sidewalk in this area of Linden Drive will be closed during the project; the southern sidewalk will remain open.

For more information on ongoing closures and detours, please see the campus lot and street impacts/closures map or visit the campus construction impacts webpage.