KU News Release

Portion of Jayhawk Boulevard to close to allow construction on campus

LAWRENCE — As part of critical construction on campus steam tunnels, Jayhawk Boulevard between Mississippi Street and Lilac Lane will close to vehicular traffic beginning July 7. It is scheduled to reopen Aug. 11.

The repairs are the first phase of a three-year, $8.9 million project to replace century-old utility tunnels, parts of which were hand dug.

Jayhawk Boulevard will remain open between Mississippi Street and the Chi Omega fountain. Sunflower Road and Lilac Lane will remain open throughout the project.

Construction will continue throughout the summer. Accommodations will include:

— Mississippi Street is closed from Memorial Drive to Jayhawk Boulevard until Aug. 11. It will reopen as a one-lane, southbound-only street from Aug. 11 to Nov. 11.

— Buses will use Memorial Drive between July 7 and Aug. 11.

— To accommodate bus traffic, parking will be prohibited on the north side of Memorial Drive during the project.

— To compensate for the lost parking spaces, faculty and staff with any KU Parking and Transit permit — red, blue, gold, Park and Ride and garage permits — will be able to park in the Mississippi Street garage for free during this period.

Unrelated to KU construction, Indiana Street remains closed between 11th and 12th streets. The closure is scheduled to last at least until Aug. 15. The first day of classes for the fall semester is Aug. 21. The developers of the Oread Inn requested the closure, citing safety concerns. Work crews are digging a 50-foot hole for a parking garage, and a large crane will be in place for part of the construction.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.