Closed for several weeks as part of an ongoing campus enhancement project that will result in significant upgrades to the west side of the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, the intersection of Miller Road and San Amaro Drive will reopen in mid-August, just as the 2012-2013 academic year is set to get under way.

The reopened intersection will feature a new roundabout, which is expected to ease traffic congestion in the area, and marks a key milestone in UM’s Internal Road Project—an endeavor that will link several parking lots on the west side of campus and create a new entry point that realigns the Miller Road entrance into the school.

Construction will continue in the area, as crews work on landscaping, irrigation, lighting, entrance features, and a perimeter wall. Signage will be posted, and motorists and pedestrians should continue to exercise caution in the area.

Until the new Miller Road/San Amaro Drive entry point into the school is complete, Memorial Drive and Robbia Avenue will continue to serve as the primary access points into the west side of the Coral Gables campus.

Hurry ’Cane Shuttles will operate on the same scheduled routes, stops, and arrival/departure intervals as last fall. Some shuttle stops may be slightly relocated due to construction; when this situation arises, the stops will be clearly marked and easily identified.

Parking lots (purple permits) near the Frost School of Music, School of Law, and Ungar Building are expected to reopen in mid-August as well.

To assist motorists, representatives from Parking and Transportation Services will staff these lots until traffic patterns and parking conditions settle for the semester.

With an expansion of UM’s Pavia Garage now complete, 308 additional parking spaces in this garage will offset the loss of some parking in purple zone lots. The expanded Pavia Garage will also offer a central visitor’s parking lot on the first floor with more than 50 spaces for the convenience of the University community. This lot will be staffed by an attendant during normal University hours and as needed to support events. In addition, UM Parking and Transportation Services now offers an enhanced event valet service that will facilitate access to performance and meeting venues.

The Internal Road project will augment several of the parking lots on the west side of campus with improved signage, lighting, landscaping, and drainage. The project, which is required by the City of Coral Gables, is intended to decrease traffic on roads around that section of the campus. This will no doubt be the case with a substantial portion of the parking space inventory shifting to the Pavia Garage. To this end, parking permit sales for fall 2012 are complete and now reflect this shift in parking inventory along with several new zones requested by students.

Viewing the Coral Gables mandate as an opportunity to enhance the Coral Gables campus, Facilities Design and Construction has incorporated a number of improvements to the entrances of several campus venues, such as the Frost School of Music, School of Law, Ring Theatre, and Gusman Concert Hall. In addition, many of the improvements will make this portion of the campus more pedestrian and bike friendly as new sidewalks, curb cuts, and other features are completed. UM’s new Student Activities Center also is being built in this area. This phase of the internal road will not impact UM’s Gifford Arboretum.

Employees and students who have questions and concerns are encouraged to email [email protected].