Campus Construction and Testing Notices

Major Impacts - Fall 2026

As minor construction and light-rail vehicle testing continues, watch for the following impacts this semester:

Overnight Light-Rail Vehicle (LRV) Testing

Testing is expected to continue throughout the fall semester, on select nights. Testing will not occur when there are major events on campus.

• Scheduled Dates (subject to change): 
  • Tuesday, 9/29
  • Wednesday, 9/30 
  • Monday, 10/5 (single pass of LRV only; temporary traffic holds, no road closures)
  • Thursday, 10/8 (single pass of LRV only; temporary traffic holds, no road closures)
• Testing Hours and Locations: Testing will occur on select nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following day from the WMATA College Park Metrorail station to UMGC. 
• Impacts:
  • Temporary holds of up to 15 minutes will occur along the Purple Line tracks and all cross streets as the LRV travels back and forth across campus. Crews will be deployed ahead of the police-escorted LRVs to briefly block cross streets and crosswalks to ensure driver and pedestrian safety. See map for details.
  • The following roads will be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning each night of testing:
    1. Campus Drive between Preinkert Drive (near Anne Arundel Hall) and Union Drive (near the Benjamin Building)
    2. Connector road between Lot C1 (near Turner Hall) and Lot L (Lot C1 exit)
    3. Rossborough Lane between Yale Avenue and Diamondback Drive
  • Some crosswalks will be closed and others will experience periodic holds to allow the LRV to pass safely; follow pedestrian detour signage and flagger direction. See map for details.
  • Expect traffic delays as the LRV passes through and use caution when traveling through the area.
  • Emergency vehicles will have unfettered access at all times.
  • Shuttle-UM service may experience delays or detours. Check the Transit App for alerts and real-time arrival information. 

Road Closures on Rossborough Lane (see maps)

• West of Baltimore Avenue the road is closed (near Turner Hall and Rossborough Inn).
• East of Baltimore Avenue, the road is closed to Diamondback Drive (near Ritchie Coliseum).
• There are ADA-compliant pedestrian detours.

If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, including accessibility concerns, please contact purpleline@umd.edu.

Sign Installation Noise along the Purple Line - 9.28.26-10.18.26

The Purple Line project plans to install signs on the overhead catenary poles along the alignment from Adelphi Road (near UMCG) through the UMD campus to the College Park Metro Station. The installation process will involve loud popping noises when attaching the signs. While there is no danger to the campus community, we encourage everyone to continue to keep a safe distance from all construction vehicles and equipment. 

• Work is expected to begin on or about Monday, September 28 and continue on selected days through Sunday, October 18
• Work near academic buildings will be performed on weekends and during fall break
• Work near residence halls will be performed during daytime hours
• Work will not be performed in the vicinity of major campus events
• Work may be delayed due to inclement weather
• Tentative schedule for segments along the Purple Line alignment from west to east (subject to change):
  • Graduate Hills Apartments (University Boulevard and Adelphi Road) to UMGC - Monday 9/28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Presidential Drive from Campus Drive (near UMGC) to Alumni Drive near Knight Hall - Saturday 10/3, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Alumni Drive near Knight Hall to Union Lane (near Stamp Student Union) - Saturday 10/3, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Union Lane (near Stamp Student Union) to Regents Drive (near Symons Hall) - Monday 10/12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Regents Drive (near Symons Hall) to Baltimore Avenue (near Turner Hall) - Sunday 10/18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Baltimore Avenue (near Ritchie Coliseum) to Campus Drive at Rossborough Lane (near the Leonardtown Apartments) - Wednesday 9/30, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Campus Drive from the Leonardtown Apartments to the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute - Thursday 10/1, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Campus Drive from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to the College Park Metro Station - Friday 10/2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Campus-wide Periodic Lane & Sidewalk Closures - 8.29.26-1.26.27

The Purple Line contractor will continue to conduct periodic lane and sidewalk closures through the end of January 2027 at the following locations, listed from west to east. See maps for details (numbers on the map correspond to the list below).

1. University Boulevard between Temple Street and Adelphi Road (near Graduate Hills Apartments)
2. Adelphi Road between Tulane Drive and University Boulevard (near Graduate Hills Apartments and UMGC)
3. Campus Drive between University Boulevard and Presidential Drive (near UMGC)
4. Alumni Drive near Union Drive (in Lots 1/Z)
5. Union Drive between Alumni Drive (in Lots 1/Z) and Campus Drive (near the Benjamin Building)
6. Union Lane between the Union Lane Garage and Campus Drive (near the Adele H. Stamp Student Union)
7. North Library Lane near the University Health Center
8. Campus Drive between Union Drive (near the Benjamin Building) and the M
9. Regents Drive between the Geology Building and the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Building
10. From the intersection of Campus and Regents Drives (near the M) to the connector road between Lots C1 and L (near Turner Hall)
11. Baltimore Avenue between Hotel Drive and Fraternity Row
12. Rossborough Lane between Diamondback Drive and Yale Avenue
13. Campus Drive between Rossborough Lane (near the Leonardtown Apartments) and River Road (near the WMATA Metrorail station)

One lane of travel in each direction will remain open at all times. Watch for shifting construction activity and follow signage for ADA-compliant pedestrian detours.