North University & Thayer Improvements

Project Overview

Improvements to enhance safety for all roadway users of the North University Avenue and Thayer Street corridors.

Why is this Project occurring?

To enhance safety for all roadway users of the North University Avenue and Thayer Street corridors, to improve transit route times for the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority traveling eastbound along North University Avenue, and upgrade aging infrastructure.

What outcomes will result from the Project?

Stormwater quality will be improved by constructing an infiltration trench to filter runoff into the aquifer beneath the street instead of directly discharging rainwater to the Huron River.
Two aging water mains will be consolidated into one new main owned and operated by the City.
Two existing crosswalks on North University at Ingalls Mall will be combined into one raised mid-block crosswalk to enhance pedestrian safety.
Bus route times for eastbound travel on North University Avenue will be improved by providing a dedicated eastbound transit lane. The dedicated lane will complement the dedicated northbound transit lane on State Street completed in the Fall of 2025.
Safety will be enhanced along westbound North University Avenue by providing a designated bus loading / unloading zone for visitors to Hill Auditorium.
The existing eastbound bus stop across from Hill Auditorium will be enhanced for transit users.
Future sanitary service leads will be installed for designated buildings along the west side of Thayer Street.
‘Ride quality’ will be improved for drivers and bicycle users once North University Avenue and Thayer Street are resurfaced.
The existing eastbound and westbound bicycle lanes along North University Avenue will be preserved.

Project funding sources

The project is funded by the City of Ann Arbor Street Fund, City of Ann Arbor Water Fund, City of Ann Arbor Storm Water Fund, City of Ann Arbor Sanitary Fund, and a financial contribution from the University of Michigan.

May 15, 2025

This past week, the contractor installed the sanitary main and leads on Thayer Street and began the construction of the water main and hydrant on Thayer Street.

For the week of May 18^th:

Continue the construction of water main on Thayer Street.
Remove curb and install Hill Auditorium service lead.
Begin water main construction on North University Ave.
Pavement repairs on North University Ave.

Traffic will continue to be detoured as follows:

Westbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on Washtenaw Avenue, then west on Hill Street, then north on State Street to North University Avenue
Eastbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on State Street, then east on Hill Street, then north on Washtenaw Avenue then west on Geddes Avenue to North University Avenue.

May 8, 2026

This week, the contractor implemented traffic control and soil erosion control devices, and removed pavement for sanitary main installation on Thayer Street.

For the week of May 11^th:

Installation of sanitary building leads will begin on Thayer Street.
Installation of water main will begin on Thayer Street.
No work will take place on Monday 5/11 & Friday 5/15 due to the University of Michigan Commencement activities.

Detour Route and other travel impacts:

Westbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on Washtenaw Avenue, then west on Hill Street, then north on State Street to North University Avenue
Eastbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on State Street, then east on Hill Street, then north on Washtenaw Avenue then west on Geddes Avenue to North University Avenue.

May 1, 2026

This week, the Contractor prepared traffic control elements for the road closure on Monday, May 4.

For the week of May 4th:

Implement traffic control devices
Install soil erosion control devices
Remove pavement and begin sanitary main installation on Thayer Street.
No work will take place on Friday 5/8 due to the University of Michigan Commencement activities.

Detour route and other travel impacts:

Westbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on Washtenaw Avenue, then south on S. Forest Avenue, then west on Hill Street, then north on State Street to North University Avenue.
Eastbound vehicles and cyclists traveling on North University Avenue will be detoured south on State Street, then east on Hill Street, then north on S. Forest Avenue, then north of Washtenaw Avenue then west on Geddes Avenue to North University Avenue.
Emergency vehicles are advised to follow the posted detour, however, access to driveways within the closure will be maintained.
Through November, sidewalk closures will occur to provide space for work and to protect the safety of the public. Posted detours will be provided when a sidewalk closure occurs.

North University Avenue will be closed to thru traffic for the duration of construction (May – November 2026) between State Street and Fletcher Street. Only deliveries and operations for University facilities will be permitted to travel along North University Avenue internal to the work zone.
Thayer Street will be accessible from East Washington Street only. No access to Thayer Street will be available via North University Avenue.
Bicycle travel on North University Avenue and Thayer Street will be required to follow posted detours.
Pedestrian travel will be maintained through the work zone.
The Project will pause the week of July 13, 2026, for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Detour details can be found on the City’s road and lane closure web page.

Nov. 10, 2025 Virtual Information Session

Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Meeting Recording (Youtube)

Traffic, Parking and Access Impacts

Below are the current or upcoming traffic, parking and access impacts. NOTE: All dates are subject to change; check back frequently for updates.

Vehicles: Estimated road closure dates are provided below.
- May - November: Full Closure of N University from State to Fletcher, including N. U. + Thayer intersection; restricted access for UM service vehicles only.
  - Thayer St will be accessible from East Washington Street only.
Bikes & Pedestrians:
- Bicycle travel on North University Avenue and Thayer Street will be required to follow posted detours.
- Pedestrian travel will be maintained through the work zone.
General:
- The Project will pause the week of July 13, 2026, for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
- Detour details can be found on the City’s road and lane closure web page.

2026 Downtown Street Closures

2026 Downtown Area Street Closures

Project Boundaries & Designs

N. University Ave. between State St. and Thayer St.

The exhibit above depicts a view on North University Avenue between State Street and Thayer Street looking east toward Thayer Street. Moving left (north side) to right (south side) across the exhibit, the street cross section consists of a 22-foot wide sidewalk, a 10-foot wide amenity zone, a 2-foot wide buffer zone, a 5-foot wide protected bike lane separated by trapezoidal delineators, a 3-foot wide buffer zone, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a 6.5-foot wide parking lane for westbound travel, two 10.5-foot wide east and westbound travel lanes, an 11-foot wide dedicated transit lane that will service eastbound buses operated by the Ride (AAATA) and the University of Michigan, 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a 3-foot buffer zone, a 5-foot wide protected bike lane and a 14-foot wide sidewalk separated by trapezoidal delineators.

N. University Ave. across from Hill Auditorium

The exhibit above depicts a view on North University Avenue at Hill Auditorium looking east toward Fletcher Street. Moving from left (north side) to right (south side) across the exhibit, the street cross section consists of a 16-foot wide sidewalk, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a 10-foot wide area designated for bus loading and unloading zone, a 5-foot wide bike lane, a 2-foot wide buffer zone, a 10.5-foot wide westbound travel lane, a 9-foot wide median with curb and gutters, a 10-foot wide eastbound travel lane, an 11-foot wide dedicated transit lane that will service eastbound buses operated by the Ride (AAATA) and the University of Michigan, a 5-foot wide bike lane, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, and a 16-foot wide sidewalk.

N. University Ave. between Hill Auditorium and Ingalls Mall

The exhibit above depicts a view on North University Avenue between Hill Auditorium and Ingalls Mall looking east toward Fletcher Street. Moving from left (north side) to right (south side) across the exhibit, the street cross section consists of a 16-foot wide sidewalk, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a variable width taper to service a10-foot wide bus unloading/loading zone at Hill Auditorium, a 5-foot wide bike lane, a 2-foot wide buffer zone, a 10.5-foot wide westbound travel lane, a 9-foot wide median with curb and gutters, a 10-foot wide eastbound travel lane, an 11-foot wide dedicated transit lane that will service eastbound buses operated by the Ride (AAATA) and the University of Michigan, a 8 foot wide bus stop loading/unloading platform, with a 5-foot wide bike lane maneuvering around the bus stop, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, and a 16-foot wide sidewalk. Trapezoidal delineators will separate the bike lane from the sidewalk and bus stop platform.

N. University Ave. at Ingalls Mall Crosswalk

The exhibit above depicts a view on North University Avenue between at the Ingalls Mall looking east toward Fletcher Street. Moving from left (north side) to right (south side) across the exhibit, the street cross section consists of a 16-foot wide sidewalk, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a 5-foot wide bike lane, a 6-foot wide buffer zone, a 10.5 wide westbound travel lane, a 15-foot wide median with curb and gutters, a 10-foot wide eastbound travel lane, an 11-foot wide dedicated transit lane that will service eastbound buses operated by the Ride (AAATA) and the University of Michigan a 5-foot wide bike lane, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, and a 19-foot wide sidewalk. This cross section also details the location of a raised crosswalk connecting the north and south side of the Ingalls Mall on the University of Michigan campus.

Thayer St. between N. University Ave. and E. Washington St.

The exhibit above depicts a view on Thayer Street between North University Avenue and East Washington Street. Moving from left (west side) to right (east side) across the exhibit, the street cross section consists of a 13-foot wide sidewalk, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, a 6.5-foot wide parking lane for southbound travel, two 10.5-foot wide northbound and southbound travel lanes, a 6.5-foot wide parking lane for northbound, a 2-foot wide curb and gutter, and a 12-foot wide sidewalk.

Contact Information
Phone	734.794.6000
Website	www.a2gov.org
In writing	301 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734.794.6000

www.a2gov.org

301 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

North University & Thayer Improvements

Project Overview

Project Details

Project Updates

Impacts to Me

Project Resources / Public Engagement

Traffic, Parking and Access Impacts

2026 Downtown Street Closures

Project Boundaries & Designs

Contact Us