Nov. 6, 2026 – November Travel Impacts
University Bay Drive at Picnic Point closures and detour:
- Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. to Friday, Nov. 13, 7 a.m.
- Overnight roadway and Metro Transit stop closures. General traffic and Metro Transit buses detour along University Bay Drive, around the University Bay Recreation Fields. Expect extra traffic and buses in the area.
- Friday, Nov. 13, 7 a.m. to Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 a.m.
- Open to all traffic.
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Open to Metro buses and emergency vehicles only, with flaggers present to guide traffic. General traffic detours along University Bay Drive around the University Bay Recreation Fields.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 , 5 p.m. through Sunday Nov. 15
- Open to all traffic.
- Monday, Nov. 16
- New road opens. Metro Transit bus stops #2881 and #2938 at Picnic Point entrance remain closed until further notice.
Howard Temin Lakeshore Path detour at Picnic Point:
- Monday Nov. 16 to Thursday Nov. 19, 7 a.m.– 5.p.m.
- Daytime-only detour. Bicycle and pedestrian paths temporarily merge and detour along an existing multi-use gravel path behind the stone wall of the Preserve.
Oct. 12, 2026 – Site Grading Begins
This week the contractor is expected to install erosion control measures and begin site grading. Grading is expected to continue into the beginning of next week. There may be some construction noise associated with this work.
Oct. 5, 2026 – Picnic Point UW Lot 130 Parking Update
Due to construction of the Frautschi Center, the number of stalls near the entrance to Picnic Point in UW Lot 130 has been reduced to 10-15 parking stalls, including accessible parking (UW-disabled/state-issued disabled). For alternate parking while visiting the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, please use UW Lot 60 (801 Walnut Street) or UW Lot 76 (2501 University Bay Drive). More information is available on our Getting Here and Parking page.
Sept. 29, 2026 – Site Preparation Begins
We’re excited to share that the first phase of site work on the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center begins this week!
Findorff and its subcontractors will start preparing the site to realign University Bay Drive. This includes installing fencing and erosion control. In the next couple of weeks, you’ll notice clearing, grading, and placement of roadway aggregate as the project moves forward.
Parking in UW Lot 130 will be more limited than usual, but accessible parking (UW-disabled/state-issued disabled stalls) will remain available.
As construction progresses, some entrances and paths may be temporarily relocated. Rest assured, the Preserve will remain open and accessible to all.