With the beginning of the new academic year, Duke will be making changes to vehicle access on Chapel Drive between the roundabout and the Chapel Drive loop/bus stop. 

This segment of Chapel Drive was closed during the summer for construction, which has allowed significant progress on several needed infrastructure projects designed to vastly improve campus in anticipation of Duke’s Centennial in 2024 and beyond. The projects include repair and replacement of historic bluestone walkways, replacement of asphalt and granite curbs, installation of raised crosswalks and removal of parking spaces added in the 1960’s that will improve safety and restore the original, historic design.

In order to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, visitors and construction workers, access to Chapel Drive between the roundabout and the Chapel Drive loop/bus stop will be modified in the following ways:

• Beginning August 14 access will be expanded to include Duke University buses/vans and other authorized vehicles, including Duke vehicles and those used by event services, parcel delivery, and approved vendors from 7 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. daily. The road will be closed to all motorized vehicles outside of those hours.

Note: pedestrian, scooter and bicycle traffic will continue to have normal access. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact Duke Disability Management System.

Temporary Vehicle Access During Student Move-In

• Transfer student move-in, August 22 and upperclass move-in, August 25-27: vehicle access will be granted temporarily for students and their families with an unloading zone pass. Passes will be available when checking in with Housing and Residence Life (HRL) on your scheduled move in day. To find your move-in details, please reference the email sent by HRL last week.
• August 25-27 (7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.): residents in the surrounding West Quad area will be allowed to parallel park on one side of the Chapel Drive for move-in. During all other student move-in days, parking will be available along the landscaping side of the Few building.
• August 25 & 26 (7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) and August 27 (7:30 a.m. – Noon): buses will be moved to the lower circle and posted on Transloc.
• August 27: during student convocation, students will be bused from East Campus to the Abele Quad for the event starting at 3 p.m.

Pick-up/Drop-offs, Deliveries & Rideshare

For pick-up/drop-off/personal deliveries, along with all rideshare services, please use the following designated locations:

• Bryan Center Circle
• Entrance to Allen Lot
• End of Wannamaker Drive
• Wannamaker Drive Circle
• Service Parking Area at The Hollows
• Telcom Drive Circle
• Parking Area Behind Old Chem
• End of Union Drive

Visitor Access

To minimize disruptions and ensure safety on campus, visitors to Abele Quad should use the parking facilities available at:

• Bryan Center Garage and Visitor Lot
• Karsh Alumni & Visitor Center Parking

When possible, pedestrians should use Duke buses to access Abele Quad from other parking facilities. You can find live updates for Duke buses by visiting the Parking & Transportation website.

These changes reflect Duke’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and construction workers. Officials will continue to evaluate transportation needs and access for this segment of Chapel Drive moving forward.

Download and print a map of drop-off, delivery, and visitor parking locations.