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Traffic Advisory: Impacts to Chapel Drive Access, Duke Buses

Portion of Chapel Drive to close Thursday and Friday

Motorists and pedestrians should allow extra time for travel this week due to the removal of a decaying tree on West Campus. During the work, access to Chapel Drive will be restricted Thursday and Friday.

The tree, alongside the Allen Building, is one of two "overly mature" trees scheduled for removal this month after Facilities Management staff found fungal infections in each. The other tree, in front of the Sociology-Psychology Building, was removed last week. Both will be replaced with new trees.

Because heavy machinery is needed in the removal process, a portion of Chapel Drive will be closed to motorists from the Chapel Drive roundabout to the bus stop on the main quad. Only emergency vehicles and senior leadership vehicles will be able to enter.

Duke buses will drop-off passengers at the roundabout, where passengers can use the Chapel Drive sidewalk to walk up to the West Campus quad. Normal bus service will resume Saturday. While Chapel Drive is closed to traffic, attendants will be present at both blocked off portions of the road to assist with traffic flow at the Chapel Drive roundabout and outside the Allen Building.

In addition to restricted access on Thursday and Friday, Facilities will also start a construction project next week to waterproof the foundation of Perkins Library. During this work, only bus traffic, senior leadership and special guests will be allowed past the bus stop area on Chapel Drive and pedestrians will need to take a detour across the quad's grassy median to use the sidewalk alongside the West Union. Waterproofing of Perkins Library will take place until November.

Duke community members or visitors needing mobility assistance to travel along Chapel Drive should contact Duke Transit at (919) 684-2218. The quad will return to normal operations all weekends.

During both projects, visitors are encouraged to use the Bryan Center Parking Garage (Parking Garage IV) or Duke Gardens visitor parking to best access campus. Signage around will campus will also direct motorists to these parking areas. Here is a map of how Chapel Drive will be impacted this week (click to enlarge):