In Burlington during UVM graduation weekend? How to avoid road closures and full lots
April BartonThousands of University of Vermont students will be moving that tassel to the other side in a variety of graduation ceremonies this weekend, but for motorists and visitors to Burlington, travel may not be all pomp and circumstance.
The university will host 11 commencement exercises between Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, but road closures around the area will begin on Friday and some will last through Monday.
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Ceremony guests are directed to use a variety of parking garages and parking lots across the city that could affect the spaces left for those visiting or working downtown.
If you plan to be in downtown Burlington over the weekend, here's what you should know.
Road closures
Some road closures last four days, encompassing the weekend, and others are specific to Sunday.
- South Prospect Street — The section of South Prospect Street from the University of Vermont Medical Center entrance to College Street will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, through 4 p.m. Mon., May 23. The closure will be extended north to Colchester Avenue and south to Main Street from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sun., May 22.
- University Place — This road will be closed between Colchester Avenue and Main Street from 7 a.m. Friday, May 20, through 4 p.m. Monday, May 23.
- College Street — A couple blocks, South Williams Street to South Prospect Street, along College Street will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22.
- Main Street — One lane will be closed on Main Street. The northern most west-bound lane from South Prospect Street to University Heights Road will be closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22.
Parking garages and lots used
Guests of the various commencement exercises are being directed to certain parking lots and garages. Most are on campus, but some are public including the College Street garage connected to the Hilton Burlington hotel, the DoubleTree hotel lot and University of Vermont Medical Center.
- Gutterson Fieldhouse garage and parking lot at 147 Spear St.
- Jeffords parking lot at 63 Carrigan Drive.
- College Street parking garage at 60 College St.
- Harris Millis parking lot at 67 Spear St.
- Marsh, Austin, Tupper parking lot at 31 Spear St.
- DoubleTree hotel parking lot 870 Williston Road.
- University of Vermont Medical Center parking lot at 52 South Williams St.
- Catamount East parking lot at the eastern end of Catamount Drive.
A map of the University of Vermont Commencement parking map can be found at https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Commencement/2022/2022_UVM_Commencement_Parking_Map.pdf
. Navigators should know this map's orientation isn't north facing up.
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A schedule of commencement exercises including which parking areas will be used at certain times, can be found at https://www.uvm.edu/commencement/schedule-ceremonies-2022.
Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.