---
title: "What You Need to Know in Fall 2024: Getting Around Campus"
date: 2024-08-27T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/what-you-need-to-know-in-fall-2024-getting-around-campus"
section: Articles
---
# What You Need to Know in Fall 2024: Getting Around Campus

*August 27, 2024* — by [Maryland Today Staff](/author/maryland-today-staff)


> Purple Line Progress; New Bike Lanes Clear the Way for Smoother Commutes

*Construction Purple Line Stop 08202024 JC 3782 1920x1080 — Workers construct a colorful Purple Line station near Stamp Student Union. The Art-in-Transit program is giving each of the 21 stations in the state of Maryland's light-rail project a striking visual identity.*

That jaunt to the far corner of campus just got significantly easier.

The University of Maryland worked with the state Department of Transportation, the project owner, to accelerate major construction of the light-rail [Purple Line](https://admin.umd.edu/initiatives-and-projects/purple-line) in the core of campus, and it’s reaching completion a year ahead of the previous schedule. As a result, pedestrians and drivers alike can now travel Campus Drive, the main east-west artery at UMD, with a level of convenience unknown in recent years.

“Traveling on and around campus will be easier with Purple Line construction reduced in the campus core, along with new bike lanes and the improvements on Baltimore Avenue,” said Carlo Colella, vice president and chief administrative officer. “It’s very exciting to see several projects reach major milestones for the start of the fall semester.”

Among other new developments: Bright green bike lanes extend down two major campus roadways, and a 15 mph campus speed limit gives drivers more time to react to surprises from scooter and bike riders, other drivers and pedestrians.

Read on to find out what else has changed.

**Purple Line  
Among the most noticeable improvements on campus is the resumption, for now, of two-way traffic on Campus Drive between Regents Drive near the flower-filled M and Alumni Drive at Lots 1 and Z. (One-way traffic on that stretch will return when light rail trains begin operational testing, expected in Fall 2026.)

Crews in that area will install lighting, aerial wiring and other elements related to the [Purple Line](https://adminvp.umd.edu/current-projects/purple-line). Its 16-mile route will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County and include five stations on or near campus, expanding access to the surrounding region after its scheduled opening in winter 2027.

In other Purple Line-related work around campus:

- The traffic pattern at Alumni Drive in Lots 1 and Z has been adjusted ([see map](https://admin.umd.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/Fall%202024%20Communications%20-%20Campus%20Drive%20Map.pdf)).
- Rossborough Lane west of Baltimore Avenue is closed, while east of Baltimore Avenue, the road is closed near Ritchie Coliseum and long-term, ADA-compliant pedestrian detours have been established ([see map](https://admin.umd.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/Fall%202024%20Communications%20-%20Rossborough%20Lane%20Road%20Closures%20%26%20Detours%20Maps.pdf)).


*green checkmark next to biker crossing tracks at 90-degree angle. Red X next to biker crossing diagonally — Illustration courtesy of DOTS*



*A skateboarder rides in newly painted green bike lane — Photo by Riley N. Sims*



**Sidebar note:**

Want to learn the ins and outs of traveling Greater College Park by Shuttle-UM? From 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, DOTS employees will hop on the bus with curious riders to provide ridership tips. Buses will depart every few minutes from the stop outside Regents Drive Garage.

---




**Sidebar note:**

**What You Need to Know** All week in Maryland Today, we’ll feature important information for the campus community this semester on the following topics:

- Monday: [Dining](https://today.umd.edu/what-you-need-to-know-in-fall-2024-dining-services)
- Tuesday: Transportation
- Wednesday: [New Facilities](https://today.umd.edu/what-you-need-to-know-in-fall-2024-facilities)
- Thursday: [Libraries](https://today.umd.edu/what-you-need-to-know-in-fall-2024-learning-support-and-libraries)
- Friday: [Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/what-you-need-to-know-in-fall-2024-athletics-and-recreation)





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Transportation](https://today.umd.edu/topic/transportation), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [Department of Transportation Services](https://today.umd.edu/topic/department-transportation-services)