A lane closure on University Avenue at Emmet Street will last a little longer, thanks to Hurricane Sandy.

Construction started Oct. 22 and was to last 10 days. Now, the right-turn lane on westbound University Avenue will remain closed, with a new target completion date of Nov. 9, just in time for the next home football game, Nov. 10 against the University of Miami.

The street construction is necessary as work nears completion to beautify one of the main gateways to the University of Virginia. With the lane closure, motorists wanting to turn right onto Emmet share the lane with those continuing west on University, which becomes Ivy Road after the intersection.

Motorists heading north on Emmet are then shifted into the lane that becomes the left-turn lane into the Italian Villa. The left turn into the Villa is blocked.

Motorists are advised to avoid the intersection if possible.

Work on a new, landscaped park area at University and Emmet began in 2011 with the demolition of a gas station on the corner and the building next to it, which had been plagued by mold. The project has been delayed this fall because of a change in the route of the stormwater system in order to avoid a street excavation.

By the end of the year, the Emmet-University small park project will be nearing completion. It will include street widening, a bike lane, new street lights and sidewalks. Work on the interior of the park site – including asphalt paths, lights and a stone wall – will also be completed.

When these improvements are completed, a stream running through the site will be restored and realigned. The work will be coordinated by BioHabits, the same firm that designed the stormwater improvements at the Emmet-Ivy Parking Garage.