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Loop Road Project Changes Parking Routes, Options in Lots A, B for Spring Semester

Celebration of Support parking map

Work on the expansion of Loop Road has begun in parking lots A and B. In Lot A, only E-parking and green parking will be accessible from the Floyd Road entrance. To access gold, orange and purple parking in lots A and B, enter the campus on Lookout Drive. Some gold and green parking will be temporarily unavailable during the project. For desktop computer users, click here to enlarge the map. Click here to print it.

With several projects proceeding on campus at the start of the new year, UT Dallas students, faculty and staff should allow extra time to reach their destinations as construction will affect some parking and pedestrian areas. 

During the winter break, crews blocked off portions of parking lots A and B as they began work on the first phase of the Loop Road extension project. While parking will remain available in both lots for all permit holders, drivers will need to take different routes to access their spaces. 

For E-parking and green parking in both lots, drivers are encouraged to use the Lot A entrance off Floyd Road near the University Police Department. For gold, orange and purple parking in both lots, drivers must use Lookout Drive. Some gold and green parking in both lots will be temporarily unavailable during the project, and drivers may instead choose to find alternatives in other university lots and parking garages.

Alternate parking options include parking structures 1 and 3 and lots C, D, Q, H, I, J, M and U. Those commuting to campus are also encouraged to use Comet Cabs and Comet Cruisers. Comet Cabs will continue to service lots A and B. Click here to enlarge the map of the project area. 

The Loop Road project will connect existing parts of the road extending from Parking Structure 3 to the Supplemental Utility Plant and the south end of campus.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this and several other projects on campus,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for the Office of Administration. “This road segment has been in the making for several years, and we are pleased to be partnering with the city of Richardson to create this mutually beneficial addition to campus that will improve both traffic patterns and parking areas for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

"Our campus continues to grow tremendously, as seen by the number of projects in construction. We must continue to maintain and improve our infrastructure to support the expanding UTD community.” 

The Loop Road project will result in better traffic flow and the resurfacing and restriping of parking lots A, B, C and D. It will also add another bridge near Lot R that will create a better route into campus using Facilities Way. Work in lots A and B is expected to be completed by the end of the spring semester.

Crews are then expected to work on the Lookout Drive intersection after spring commencement and on lots C and D over the summer. Weather permitting, the parking lot phases of the project should be completed before the start of the fall semester. All phases of the project are expected to be completed by late fall. 

Other Construction Projects are Progressing

Construction at UT Dallas

The North Mall Enhancement Project continues to take shape as crews are working to install new sidewalks and fountains.

Construction also continues on the North Mall Enhancement Project, which is scheduled for completion this spring. Crews are working to install new sidewalks and fountains, which will be followed by landscaping to create a more park-like environment. Pedestrians should continue to use the indoor skybridges to navigate this area of campus. 

In addition, crews are working to add a colonnade to cover the main sidewalk between the entrances of the Student Union and the Student Services Building in the south mall. The area will remain fenced during the work, which will block access to some eastside doors on the lower level of the Student Union. But the main mall entrances to the buildings and the breezeway doors on both levels between the buildings will remain open. 

Crews are also continuing work on the new Bioengineering and Sciences Building, with an expected completion in late 2015, and in Synergy Park North where they are adding a wellness center for faculty and staff. Several upgrades to the athletic facilities are now completed as well. 

Visit the Pardon Our Progress website for additional updates on these and other projects on campus.

What’s New in Dining on Campus This Semester

Einstein Bros Bagels, located in Parking Structure 3 (PS3), will be open on Saturdays starting Jan. 17. Beginning this semester, the restaurant’s new operating hours are:

Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Fridays: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Saturdays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Einstein Bros Bagels has experienced high demand since its opening last fall, along with Dining Hall West, the on-campus Convenience Store and Papa John’s, and Jason’s Deli, which is inside the new Naveen Jindal School of Management addition. 

“As our campus continues to grow, more students are living on campus and are becoming involved in weekend activities, Saturday classes and group project meetings,” said Carrie Chutes Charley, assistant director for food and retail services. “We sensed a need to increase some of our food service hours of operation to include Einstein Bros Bagels being open on Saturdays. And, with IHOP opening later this semester, we will have even more opportunities to increase our variety and flexibility.” 

Construction of an IHOP Express, which is expected to be a late-night dining option in PS3, is scheduled to begin this spring. 

In addition, Dining Services is partnering with Sara Asberry, the registered dietitian at UT Dallas’ Student Wellness Center, to pilot a new program in Dining Hall West called Comet Choice. 

The purpose of the program is to make healthy food options easily identifiable and accessible in the dining hall. Weekly residential menus will be reviewed by Asberry who will select Comet Choice items, including nutritious vegetable, dairy, starch, fruit and protein options. The items will then be identified with Comet Choice signs in the serving areas. There will also be a nutrition kiosk near the dining hall entrance with free information about healthy eating and living. 

“I am hoping this program will encourage students to try new things and make their plate more balanced by including something from every food group,” Asberry said. “This is the very beginning, and we want to continue to assist students in making healthy choices by helping them understand nutrition and what is going to fuel their bodies more efficiently.”

Consultations with the University’s registered dietitian are available to students. To make an appointment or ask a question, email Asberry.

Media Contact: The Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].

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