Portion of Hospital Drive to Close Temporarily Starting Monday

A portion of Hospital Drive located between University and Veterans drives is expected to close temporarily starting mid-morning on Monday, April 24, for approximately 12 weeks. The one-block section will reopen by July 14, weather permitting.



This project represents the fourth phase of construction work to improve and rehabilitate Cooling Plant #1. 



Access to the University Drive Garage (PS #1), VA Hospital patient/visitor area, delivery service, and ambulance access to Chandler Hospital will be impacted. Vehicular traffic traveling to and from Hospital Drive will be detoured around the construction site using Complex and Veterans drives. 



The Orange Route (UK HealthCare) bus service will also be re-routed in the vicinity, and could experience some delays in service, especially during peak times.

In addition, one pedestrian sidewalk access will be unavailable on the south side of the cooling plant.

Cooling Plant #1 is one of five that is integrated in a shared utility distribution system. This means that any facility connected to the system can be served by any of these plants. Existing cooling towers on CP #1 have deteriorated, and the plant cannot achieve its rated capacity. New towers are being installed and will improve plant efficiency and reduce energy consumption. 

Please exercise caution and anticipate additional traffic congestion in the area, as well as possible commuting delays.