7 projects that may affect your campus commute

Spring has sprung, which means construction projects around campus are ramping up.

This project is in partnership with Iowa Interstate Railroad to replace railroad track and raises the grade of the railroad crossing on Finkbine Commuter Drive between Finkbine Commuter, Lot 65 and Hawkins Drive.

Beginning May 15, Finkbine Commuter Drive will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the railroad tracks. Some CAMBUS routes will be modified. All traffic to and from the Finkbine Commuter, Lot 65 will detour south on Finkbine Commuter Drive to Melrose Avenue. All traffic to and from the Parking Lot 75, Arena will detour north to Hawkins Drive.

• Affected road: Finkbine Commuter Drive
• Anticipated start date: May 15
• Anticipated end date: July 3

Elliott Drive utility work

ENGIE North America, the university’s utility partner, is working on an underground utility project near Carver-Hawkeye Arena and the Dental Science Building. Elliott Drive and Newton Road will see varying closures for utility work.

• Affected areas: Elliott Drive, Newton Drive
• The project began in February
• Anticipated end date: August

Parking Lot 43/Lot 43 Drive

The entrance to Lot 43 Drive will be narrowed to one lane, southbound only, from June 15 to Aug. 23. The majority of Lot 43 north of Kinnick Stadium will be closed beginning June 1 for the construction of a new parking ramp.

• Affected areas: Lot 43 Drive
• Anticipated start date: June 1
• Anticipated end date: Fall 2024

For The Kids Way

Traffic flow on For The Kids Way will be one-way only (west to east) until Sept. 3, while utility work is being completed.

Employees should not be picked up or dropped off in this area to avoid interfering with traffic flow and construction. Hospital Parking Ramp 4 entrance on For the Kids Way will be accessible when going east only, and when exiting the ramp, there will be no left turn. There also will be no vehicle access under the canopy at the Pomerantz Family Pavilion entrance until June 30.

• Affected area: For The Kids Way
• Anticipated start date: Ongoing
• Anticipated end date: Sept. 3

Parking Lot 75

ENGIE North America is building a new water tower northwest of the football practice fields. It will affect Parking Lot 75, which is adjacent to Iowa’s practice facility.

This new water tower will replace the current water tower along Hawkins Drive, which will be torn down to make room for a new patient care tower at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

• Affected area: Lot 75
• Anticipated start date: September 2023
• Anticipated end date: Summer 2024

Hawkins Drive traffic controls

The UI Parking and Transportation Department is repairing and replacing traffic controls at the intersections of Hawkins and Evashevski drives, and Hawkins Drive and For The Kids Way. A four-way stop will be installed during weekend work to repair the controls at these intersections.

• Affected area: Hawkins Drive at Evashevski Drive and For The Kids Way
• Anticipated start date: June 2023
• Anticipated end date: August 2023

Interstate 80/First Avenue Interchange, Coralville

The Iowa Department of Transportation is reconstructing the interchange at I-80 exit 242 and First Avenue to a diverging diamond interchange, which has reduced First Avenue over I-80 to one lane in each direction. This project will affect both patient and employee traffic to and from the UI Hospitals & Clinics’ Iowa River Landing clinic. Cambus route 34 Research Park may experience service delays.

• Affected area: First Avenue between Ninth Street and Holiday Road, exit 242, eastbound and westbound
• Anticipated start date: Ongoing
• Anticipated end date: Fall 2024