Improvements to University Avenue to begin on 4 March

Published: 11 February 2019

Work to begin on new 'super crossings'

A programme of improvements to University Avenue, including the construction of two new ‘super-crossings’, will begin on 4 March.

The new crossings will improve pedestrian safety, meaning the road is better equipped to accommodate the increasing footfall projected over coming years.

They will be built consecutively with work  starting on the first, located outside the University’s Main Gate, on Monday, 4 March, 2019, and due to be completed by late October.

Construction will then start on the second, located outside the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, with work to take place between the end of October 2019 and end of February 2020.

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Two-directional traffic along University Avenue will be maintained throughout construction of the super-crossings, however it will be restricted to one lane through the short section where the work is taking place, with two sets of traffic lights managing traffic flow.

Work will be undertaken in two phases - the westbound lane (towards Byres Road) to close first, followed by the eastbound lane (towards City Centre).

The overall programme of infrastructure works for University Avenue will also widen pavements and improve infrastructure, future-proofing the campus against increased footfall when the James McCune Smith Learning Hub and other buildings in our £1 billion Campus Development programme start to open.

Cycle lanes, which are currently in place on the uphill sections of University Avenue, will be removed during the works, with wider 1.5 meter lanes reinstated upon completion. This arrangement has been agreed with Glasgow City council and, again, is to ensure safety for all road users during this period.

The bus stops outside the McIntyre Building and the Reading Room will be temporarily relocated nearby.

Ann Allen, Executive Director of Estates and Commercial Services at the University of Glasgow, said: “We of course understand that this will be a particularly disruptive piece of work for our staff, students and local residents. It is important, however, that we take this opportunity to make our campus safer, and create an environment that better serves and complements our existing campus, and the new developments that we’ll be building in the future.

“We recognise that this is a difficult period for everyone who uses University Avenue and we have been in extensive consultation with Glasgow City Council and our contractors to keep both traffic and people moving and disruption to a minimum. I should like to thank everyone for their patience during this period.”


First published: 11 February 2019