Renovation of the north end of campus will begin during winter break as part of the University’s Campus Landscape Enhancement Project.

Landscape architect Peter Walker’s campus enhancement plan will expand north from the Trellis to the Administration Building. The project will bring a more park-like environment to the north mall to complement the transformation of the south end of campus, which was completed in 2010.

Parking areas affected

UT Dallas' new bioengineering building rendering

The 220,000-square-foot Bioengineering and Sciences Building is scheduled to begin construction.

On Friday, Dec. 20, parking lots P and O on the northeast corner of Rutford and Loop Road will permanently close to accommodate construction of the new Bioengineering and Sciences Building near the Natural Science and Engineering Research Lab (NSERL). Drivers who currently use these lots will be redirected to park in lots A, B and T. Pedestrians coming from the University Commons areas are encouraged to walk on the west side of Rutford Drive as they travel toward their destinations.

Pedestrians should also be aware of utility work along the sidewalk from lots P and O to the English Language Center during the break. Additionally, partial areas of lots H and I will be closed as crews lay the groundwork for the future installment of temporary modular buildings in the berm area between the two lots.

Where to Look for Information

For the latest updates on parking, follow @UTDallasParking on Twitter or subscribe to email updates. Construction project information is available on Twitter @UTDConstruction or by checking Pardon our Progress. News Center, the University's Facebook page and Twitter @UT_Dallas will also post updates.

On Friday, Dec. 20, construction crews will begin staging the green area on the map with equipment and fencing, which will remain in place throughout the duration of the project. The north mall will be closed to pedestrians for at least a year as the renovation progresses. From Dec. 20 to Jan. 13, weather permitting, crews will work to demolish and remove pavement and heavy debris to make way for more green space.

Students, faculty, staff and campus visitors should expect high noise levels, increased construction traffic and altered access points to affected buildings and areas of campus during this project, including the Administration Building, Erik Jonsson Academic Center, University Theatre, Founders North Building, Founders Building, Cecil and Ida Green Center, and Cecil H. Green Hall.

Access to the Eugene McDermott Library, Student Union and the south part of the mall will remain unaffected.

Campus community members and visitors are encouraged to allow additional travel time to reach their destinations. Drivers may experience some delays as large trucks move in and out of campus, and road flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic as necessary. The entrance to parking lot G will also be revised.

Pedestrians will be redirected to the perimeter entrances of the affected buildings and are encouraged to use the skybridges that connect the Administration Building with the Erik Jonsson Academic Center, Founders North Building, Founders Building, Cecil H. Green Hall, Lloyd V. Berkner Hall, and the North and South Engineering and Computer Science buildings.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue with the next phase of Pardon Our Progress,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for the Office of Administration. “As with our initial phase, we know the campus community will be proud of the finished product. When completed, we will have a very attractive, inviting and pedestrian-friendly mall that will further advance us toward a Tier One infrastructure.”

As construction progresses, faculty, staff, students and visitors will be provided with updates and information to help navigate the campus. Look for increased signage throughout the buildings and announcements via News Center as well as email and text messages.