University Drive Garage (PS #1) adjacent Veterans Drive on-street parking, and portions of the Garrigus Lot and Ag Greenhouse area parking will permanently close at 10 p.m. on Monday, July 13. As previously announced, these closures are in support of the Albert B. Chandler Hospital expansion project and related infrastructure enabling projects.
Albert B. Chandler Hospital Expansion Parking Impacts
What Permit Holders Need to Know:
Parking Changes:
- University Drive Garage (PS #1) will permanently close on Monday, July 13, at 10 p.m. Entrances will be closed starting at noon on Monday, July 13, and all vehicles must be removed from the garage no later than 10 p.m.
- Veterans Drive on-street parking adjacent to the University Drive Garage (PS #1), as well as portions of the Garrigus Lot and Ag Greenhouse area parking will also permanently close at 10 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Please see the below graphic for more details on impacted parking closures.
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Employees seeking alternate parking options are encouraged to consider parking in the Orange Lot, Gluck Lot, or the North Red Lot, which has been converted from primarily student periphery (RK/CK) to dedicated employee periphery (EK) parking. As a reminder, Employee intermediate (E) parking is also eligible to park in Employee periphery (EK) designated parking.
Traffic Impacts:
- Construction on University Drive between Complex Drive and Cooper Drive is ongoing and is expected to last approximately one year. The southbound lane is closed, with two-way traffic shifted into the northbound side. To maintain bi-directional travel, on-street parking and bicycle lanes were removed, and southbound traffic shifted to the northbound section. Drivers should expect narrower travel lanes, and no southbound turn lane at Cooper Drive. This corridor remains essential for campus and city transit, emergency vehicles, and healthcare, campus and construction deliveries. To ease transportation for these essential services, the campus community is encouraged to seek alternate transportation routes during this period and to exercise caution while traveling in the area.
Pedestrian Impacts:
- The west side sidewalk on University Drive between Complex and Cooper drives is closed for the duration of the project. Alternate pedestrian routes have been suggested. (Please see the graphic below for more details.)
University Capital Construction and Transportation Services continue to work closely with the construction team to mitigate these impacts. Additional details will be shared throughout construction period. To receive these updates, subscribe to UK Transportation Services’ e-news and follow us on X and Instagram.
Travel Tips:
Consider avoiding University Drive between Complex and Cooper drives to allow greater access for local traffic, transit, delivery, and emergency vehicles whenever possible.
Allow extra time in your schedule to accommodate changes in this area, whether that means walking to your destination or riding the campus shuttles.
Watch for changing traffic patterns and construction activity as this project progresses. Some changes may not be announced in advance.
Commuting Options
Park & Ride (Bus):
Employee permit holders who arrive before 8 a.m. and prefer to shuttle from parking to the UKHC campus should consider parking in the Kroger Field Orange Lot and utilizing the Orange Route via the Orange Route bus shelter.
Those who arrive on campus after 8 a.m. may also park in the North Red Lot and catch the Orange Route shuttle at the North Red Lot Stop. Please note that no bus service at that stop is provided prior to 8 a.m.
Park & Stride (Walk):
Employee permit holders who prefer to walk to the UKHC campus, may consider parking in the North Red Lot, the Gluck Lot, or the northwest portion of the Orange Lot and utilizing the recommended walking path (see below), all of which range from an 8 to 12-minute walk.
Callie Brown
FAQs
Why doesn't the Orange Route pick up at the North Red Lot before 8 a.m. weekdays?
UK Transportation Services works hard to ensure that campus buses remain efficient and timely. The Orange Route's primary stop is directly adjacent to the Orange Lot, and most buses would be full before arriving at the North Red Lot. This would result in most buses passing the North Red Lot without stopping, creating frustration from individuals waiting at that stop. For this reason, we recommend that employees who arrive prior to 8 a.m. and prefer to ride the buses park in the Orange Lot. Those choosing to walk or arriving after 8 a.m. should consider parking in the North Red Lot.
I have an Employee Periphery (EK) permit. Are there other parking options for me instead of the Orange Lot or Red Lot?
Yes, employees with employee periphery (EK) permits can also park in the Gluck Lot or they can join waitlists for spaces in Sports Center Garage (PS #7), or Hilltop Avenue Garage (PS #2). Both of those parking structures are considered core parking areas. In some cases, UK HealthCare employees may also be eligible for spaces in the UK HealthCare garages. These spaces are allocated by an application process.
I have an E-intermediate permit. Do I have additional parking options?
E-Intermediate permit holders may park in the Kroger Field Orange Lot, Gluck Lot, North and South Red Lots, and surface lots along Sports Center Drive that are signed for E permits. They can also join waitlists for spaces in Sports Center Garage (PS #7), or Hilltop Avenue Garage (PS #2). In some cases, UK HealthCare employees may also be eligible for spaces in the UK HealthCare garages. These spaces are allocated by an application process.
I currently have an E-intermediate (E) permit. Can I return that for an Employee Periphery (EK) permit?
Yes, you can exchange your E-intermediate permit for an employee periphery permit. Bring your permit into our office and staff will make that switch for you. For details about both permit types, please see this page.
What is the rationale behind adding more students into Sports Center Garage, as opposed to more employees?
Sports Center Garage (PS #7) was recently expanded by approximately 1,200 parking spaces and is scheduled to reopen at the start of the fall academic semester. Students who live near the garage appreciate the proximity to their residence hall, but they also tend to arrive and leave the structure at different times throughout the day. On the other hand, employees have specific shifts and tend to arrive and leave their parking area at the same time daily. There are concerns about road capacity in the vicinity of Sports Center Garage, so the decision was made to add more students to the structure rather than employees. The North Red Lot is easier to enter and exit, so that lot was converted to employee parking only.
However, more employees will also be added to Sports Center Garage via a waitlist. If you're interested in a space in that garage, please add yourself to the waitlist.