Construction has begun on the University Avenue bridge.

The bridge will remain partially closed, with one lane open to pedestrians and one lane open to vehicles driving in each direction.

This project is to increase the load capacity the bridge can handle to prepare for next summer’s construction of a roundabout on Chucky Mullins Drive. While that roundabout is being built, many people will use University Avenue and go over its bridge, so we are grateful for the forward thinking of our leaders to complete this task well in advance.

Drivers will find some congestion when Gertrude Ford Boulevard will be closed during the bridge work from July 6 to Aug. 20. Barricades will be placed at the Ford Center’s parking lot and at the Ole Miss Athletics building parking lot.

Construction should be complete the first week of September, a little after students have arrived for the fall. Summer is the perfect time for this road work with about half of Oxford’s population out of town.

We’re excited to see how traffic will improve once all the projects are complete  for both the everyday drivers and for visitors on large event days.