Road Works Begins Across Tuscaloosa As Students Leave Town

The University of Alabama held its commencement ceremonies last week, and major road work projects are beginning across the Tuscaloosa area to take advantage of the yearly mass exodus of its students for the summer.

Many of those projects are happening on and around campus, but the city of Tuscaloosa will also aim to complete its own work while the students are gone.

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Jennifer Sumners, UA's Campus Development Communications Manager, said the University has about 65 summer projects underway, and has identified eight that will cause road closures.

UA has provided an online schedule and map showing where drivers should plan alternate routes or expect delays.

"Anything that we have that impacts travel, we try to keep confined within the summertime, so that's what you see happening on University Boulevard. There'll be some work around the Quad that happens, and some other streets," Sumners said. "My number one tip for anybody visiting campus is to visit buildingbama.ua.edu - there’s a large link there for the campus map that shows all closures that will impact you trying to get anywhere on campus this summer."

The alleyway near Farrah Hall, 6th Street, 4th Street, Hackberry Lane, Capstone Drive, University Boulevard, 6th Avenue and Johnny Stallings Drives will all experience closures during some or all of the summer.

University Boulevard closed earlier this week and won't reopen until mid-July.

"The University Boulevard project also includes some work on the east side of the Quad that will be the installation of bollards there on the exterior of the Quad, for pedestrian safety," Sumners said.

Off campus, the city of Tuscaloosa has started on its major $4.3 million project to transform Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa.

It will remove a travel lane and dramatically increase pedestrian access in the core downtown area near Chuck's Fish and the Bama Theater. Lane and road closures began on Monday, although pedestrian access is available local businesses remain open and pedestrian access is available.

“As our downtown continues to grow, pedestrian safety and accessibility remain top priorities. We are excited to begin the Greensboro Avenue improvements project next month," Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox told the Thread. "Developed in close coordination with nearby businesses, once completed in late summer, this project will improve traffic flow, strengthen pedestrian access and safety, and increase economic vibrancy with enhanced streetscaping and dedicated areas for ride shares and loading zones."

The work is underway now and is expected to be wrapped up before the return of football season this fall.

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