Summer Road Closures, Detours Planned for Purple Line, Other Construction

Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Carlo Colella sent the following email to faculty and staff on Tuesday afternoon:

As Purple Line construction has continued on campus this year, the university has worked with the state of Maryland to accelerate the project in order to reduce the impact on our community. Major construction in the campus core is now scheduled to be completed by fall 2024, almost a year ahead of the previous plan. The Purple Line is slated to be operational in December 2027.

To continue on this accelerated schedule, we will put in place several road closures this summer while the campus is less populated. While we understand that construction can present challenges, please keep in mind that the project will bring lasting changes and benefits to the university, connecting our campus to the surrounding region in new ways.

Here are the closures you can expect this summer for the Purple Line and other campus projects:

• Campus Drive between Regents Drive and the Benjamin Building will be closed May 23-Aug. 20. Union Lane and Library Lane will remain open to two-way traffic.
• Campus Drive between Adelphi Road and Presidential Drive will be closed May 30-Aug, 20.
• Rossborough Lane between Baltimore Avenue and Diamondback Drive will be closed starting June 11. At that time, the portion of Rossborough Lane east of Diamondback Drive that is currently closed will reopen.
• Fieldhouse Drive near the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center will be closed May 28-Aug. 20.
• Preinkert Drive from South Library Lane to Lot A will be closed May 28-June 30.

Impacts

• Vehicle detours will be in place. See map for details.
• Pedestrian detours will be required in many places. All pedestrian detours will be ADA-compliant. See maps for details.

Tips for success

• Allow extra time to travel around campus. Your typical routes around campus may be closed, and detours are likely to add additional travel time.
• If you are hosting a large event or camp this summer, provide guests and attendees with information regarding closures and detours. All of this information is available on the Purple Line website. Please reach out to purpleline@umd.edu if you have specific questions about guidance for your event or camp.

Stay up to date
As with any construction project, plans and timelines are subject to change. To find the most up-to-date information on road closures and detours, please visit the UMD Purple Line website for impacts on campus and the official Purple Line website.

Please use caution and follow all posted signs and flaggers when traveling near construction areas. As always, we appreciate your flexibility as this important project for our campus and entire region continues to make progress.

If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, please contact purpleline@umd.edu or 301.405.2222.

Carlo Colella
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
He/Him/His