Construction Update, July 2018

Construction remains underway at many spots on the Storrs campus. Find out the specifics and how you can still get where you want to go.

Westbound traffic from North Eagleville Road is rerouted onto Glenbrook Road due to ongoing infrastructure repairs. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

Westbound traffic from North Eagleville Road is rerouted onto Glenbrook Road due to ongoing infrastructure repairs. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

We’ll preface this monthly construction update with an apology: Sorry, folks. We feel your pain.

Yes, construction remains underway at many spots throughout UConn Storrs, with North Eagleville Road still restricted to one-way traffic and parts of Hillside Road and Jim Calhoun Way still closed to traffic.

But there’s good news, too: The UConn Bookstore remains open and active despite the construction nearby, with new stock arriving regularly and scores of students, parents, orientation guests, and other customers visiting daily to browse and buy, and to stop in for refreshments at the Starbucks Café inside.

Don’t let the construction discourage you from stopping by to pick up your UConn-branded gear or even basic items such as office supplies, snacks, and gifts.

To reach the bookstore by car, follow signs approaching campus from points north and south to the South Garage, where you can park and walk directly into the store. By foot, the area is well marked with signs to help pedestrians cross safely and avoid the work zones nearby.

In addition to this monthly construction update, University Communications and the Office of University Planning, Design, & Construction also post regular updates at uconn.edu/construction.

Those updates show where significant construction activity is occurring, identify potential traffic impacts and delays, and provide additional information about construction projects.

Hillside Road

The portion of Hillside Road between Glenbrook and Gilbert roads remains closed this month, as crews continue utility work near Jim Calhoun Way to provide additional infrastructure to the new Student Recreation Center currently under construction.

Hillside’s closure has temporarily eliminated the most commonly used north-south route through campus, so drivers are encouraged to keep using Route 195, Bolton Road, or Alumni Drive, depending on their destination.

Construction vehicles remain under special instructions to avoid all residential areas around campus, and to use Bolton Road via Route 195 from the south or Discovery Drive via Route 44 from the north.

The North and South Parking Garages are also open and accessible throughout the summer, and restricted vehicular access is permitted in special circumstances, upon request, to McMahon Residence Hall, Greer Field House, and the Student Union.

Otherwise, all traffic that normally would use that portion of Hillside Road is being detoured away from the site until it reopens in mid- to late August. Jim Calhoun Way also has no access to Hillside Road, and clearly marked detours are in place.

Work also continues on a parking lot being built in the area behind Gampel Pavilion and Wolff-Zackin Natatorium, adjacent to the Sherman Family Sports Complex and its track, field, and other outdoor amenities. The new parking lot is expected to be open for at least half of its capacity by the beginning of the fall semester, and completed by October.

North Eagleville Road

This major east-west road remains open to one-way, eastbound local traffic between Discovery Drive and Glenbrook Road until mid-August, as crews replace underground pipes and other infrastructure.

Vehicles entering campus from Route 195 are detoured left onto Glenbrook Road, and cannot proceed on North Eagleville westbound. If all stays on schedule, the road will reopen to normal traffic flow for the fall semester.

Pedestrians should also be aware that some sidewalks are closed and entrances to some buildings have been temporarily moved.

Also of note for July:

  • In addition to the added vehicles and pedestrians on campus for orientation and summer camps, expect additional traffic during the week of July 8 through 13, as guests arrive and depart for the annual Confratute teaching conference.
  • Auditorium Road and Extension remain closed to vehicle traffic, with exceptions only for construction, service, and emergency vehicles.
  • Coventry Road remains closed to traffic at Maple Lane near the Louis J. von der Mehden Recital Hall, with access allowed only for construction, service, and emergency vehicles.
  • Jorgensen Road and Whitney Road are open to local traffic only. On Jorgensen Road, an accessible drop-off area is available for events at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. At Whitney Road, on-street parking reductions near the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center continue.