The section of Natchez Trace between Kensington Place and Jess Neely Drive will be closed from Monday, June 19 until November. This closure is part of the work on the University’s Central Utilities Initiative (CUI), which will provide enhancements in support of various athletic projects, the Residential Colleges that will be constructed along 25th Avenue South, and other future university projects.
Vehicles
- Natchez Trace will only be open to local vehicular traffic to parking lots and driveways north of Kensington Place and south of Jess Neely Drive throughout the project.
- There will be no through traffic on Natchez Trace from West End Avenue to Blakemore Avenue.
- Natchez Trace traffic will be routed via 28th Avenue to and from West End Avenue.
- Jess Neely Drive is permanently closed to vehicular traffic.
Bicyclists
- Due to space limitations, bicyclists will be asked to slow down, dismount, and walk along Natchez Trace and Jess Neely Drive.
- Alternately, non-dismount access to campus will remain open by detouring along Vanderbilt Place and Children’s Way.
- Southbound bicycle traffic on Natchez Trace from West End and Centennial Park is recommended to detour west to 28th Avenue South to enter campus.
Pedestrians
- Pedestrians can access Natchez Trace and Jess Neely Drive throughout the project and should follow posted detour signage.
- On Natchez Trace, sidewalks will remain open on both sides of the street north of Kensington Place. South of Kensington Place, pedestrians will be directed onto a single, accessible sidewalk through the construction area to Jess Neely Drive.
- Two construction areas will impact the existing sidewalk, so pedestrians will cross to the other side of the closed street. Flaggers, temporary curb ramps, and signs will be in place to navigate around the work zone for everyone’s safety.
- A temporary, accessible sidewalk will be constructed adjacent to Jess Neely Drive as work expands in the area to maintain pedestrian access on the south side of Jess Neely Drive.