[TheCapstone]

New intersection coming to Jack Warner Parkway

Site preparation has begun for a new road being built at the University of Alabama that will connect the old Bryce Hospital campus directly to Jack Warner Parkway.

North Campus Way is part of the $24 million road project on the historic hospital’s campus that will connect Fifth Avenue, Hackberry Lane and Jack Warner Parkway.

Peter Bryce Boulevard, which is already under construction, will connect Hackberry Lane with Fifth Avenue. North Campus Way will connect to Jack Warner east of Clara Verner Apartments and Peter Bryce Boulevard north of the historic main hospital building.

Tim Leopard, UA’s assistant vice president for construction, predicted construction of North Campus Way would not cause any major disruptions to traffic on Jack Warner Parkway.

“We will coordinate with (the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation),” Leopard said of the connection to Jack Warner Parkway. “There won’t be any major closures.”

Officials with TDOT could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The work on the roads is being completed in phases, Leopard said. The first phase, which includes the intersection of Hackberry Lane and Peter Bryce Boulevard and North Campus Way, is scheduled to be completed by April 2016. The second phase includes the leg connecting to Fifth Avenue and is expected to be completed by July 2016.

The university is demolishing 15 outbuildings on the old hospital grounds, many of which are in the planned path of the roads.

The project is funded by a $15 million grant from the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program and $9 million in university funds.