April 11, 2012 — A utility tunnel repair project at the University of Virginia will reduce traffic on Emmet Street from three to two lanes near the Central Grounds Parking Garage and the Dell Pond.

Construction will begin April 16, when crews will begin installing new ducts in the hillside behind the sidewalk leading to the garage. A stairway connecting Emmet with Newcomb Road near Brown College will be permanently removed to accommodate the work.

During construction, through traffic will not be impeded, but the center turning lane will be used as a traffic lane.

This phase of construction is expected to last until June, when the construction area will move northward on Emmet toward Memorial Gymnasium. The entire utility project is expected to continue until August.

— by Matt Kelly