Pedway over Cooper Drive to Permanently Close

An Iconic Pedestrian Bridge to Close in Lexington, KY

In an important development, the renowned pedway over Cooper Drive is scheduled to permanently close its gates on Saturday, June 1. The closure is a result of the upcoming construction of an addition to the Charles E. Barnhart Building, demanding a portion of the pedway to be brought down.

Alternative Routes for Pedestrians

Pedestrians, a significant demographic impacted by this closure, are being guided to choose between crosswalks at the intersections of University and Cooper drives or Limestone and Cooper drives as alternative pathways. Another feasible option could be making use of the tunnel running underneath Cooper, over at Veteran’s Drive.

Upcoming Construction Details

The future construction that replaces the pedway will span approximately 66,000 square feet and promises to uplift the area’s infrastructure as the new Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s primary teaching facility and student center. This state-of-the-art structure is planned to house 15 classrooms, coupled with dedicated outdoor spaces.

University of Kentucky: The Visionary Leader

As a leading light, the University of Kentucky continues its mission to enhance and foster growth within the Commonwealth. We do so by grooming the leaders of tomorrow and making a difference in the lives of Kentuckians through our commitment to education, research, and creative works, as well as service and healthcare.

We take pride in being an incubator for breakthroughs and a harbor for healing, where ingenuity is allowed to bloom and thrive. This is made possible by an array of visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers who work tirelessly across our 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise, and a world-class medical center, all situated within our campus.

Accreditations from esteemed institutions and recognitions such as being ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and being named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity bear testimony to our relentless efforts to take Kentucky to greater heights and foster inclusivity.

Our mission, established in 1865, has evolved over the years while the vision of serving our Commonwealth and the global community remains unwavering. We are, and will continue to be, the University for Kentucky.

Contact Information

Media Resources Contact: Ryan Girves
Email: ryan.girves@uky.edu
Phone: 859-323-8464