Central Utilities Initiative Project

The Central Utilities Initiative Phase I is nearly complete, including the Highland Energy Plant that will open in January 2025. Vanderbilt’s utilities upgrades will roll on in 2025, starting with the groundbreaking on CUI Phase II in early January. This work will transition the across 25th Avenue roadway east into Central Neighborhood. The work will take place on the promenade between the Student Life Center and the Studio Arts Building, behind the Studio Arts Building and behind Stapleton in Branscomb Quad. Read More

To survey and inspect underground soil and rock conditions as part of the Central Utilities Initiative, a series of underground boring and probes will begin on August 12. Read More

A section of Children’s Way between 24th Avenue and the Children’s Way entrance of the West Garage will be closed April 15–19 and May 20–23. On weekdays, work will occur 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.—outside of peak traffic hours. During non-working hours, Children’s Way will be open to traffic.   Read More

Alternate routes are established around the construction sites. If you are in the area, please watch for signs, follow the guidance of flaggers and security personnel, and plan for delays.  Read More

Beginning Monday, March 4, the vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle and scooter routes in the Frist Athletics Village will be changing. Please review this information to plan your trip.   Read More

Beginning Monday, Jan. 22, Children’s Way between 24th Avenue and Natchez Trace will reopen to vehicle traffic. The 25th Avenue Garage will be open, but university-affiliated parkers should enter the garage from Highland Avenue, and medical center-affiliated parkers should enter the garage from 24th Avenue.   Read More

On Saturday, Sept. 9, construction hours at the Highland Plant site at the corner of Children's Way and 25th Avenue South will be extended to midnight to complete a concrete pour. Disruptive noise will occur from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and workers will be on site until midnight. Read More

As part of the Central Utilities Initiative, pits for the installation of underground utilities will be dug near the intersection of 25th Avenue and Vanderbilt Place. Work will occur from Aug. 21 until early September and affect vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle routes in the area.  Read More

As part of the south end zone project at FirstBank Stadium, there will be blasting along Jess Neely Drive and within the south end zone construction area in the Frist Athletics Village starting on Friday, July 28.  Read More

Beginning Monday, July 17, 25th Avenue from Blakemore Avenue to Jess Neely Drive will close to vehicle traffic. The intersection at 25th Avenue and Jess Neely Drive will remain open. This closure is part of Vanderbilt University’s Central Utilities Initiative, which supports construction projects in the Frist Athletics Village. Read More

The section of Natchez Trace between Kensington Place and Jess Neely Drive will be closed beginning Monday, June 19, until November. This closure is part of Phase 2 of Vanderbilt University’s Central Utilities Initiative, which supports construction projects in the Frist Athletics Village. Read More

The Central Utilities Initiative project team met with NDOT to review the planned road closure of Natchez Trace in connection with the installation of underground utilities. NDOT has requested some modifications to the plan, delaying work until the changes are made. Read More

Vanderbilt University made significant progress toward its FutureVU goals in fiscal year 2022, with an increased focus on Campus Dining initiatives and an increased push toward sustainable mobility and transportation efforts. Read More

Children’s Way and Lot 104 will be closed from Monday, March 13, to Friday, April 28, for Vanderbilt University’s Central Utilities Initiative project. Two-way traffic on Children’s Way will be closed from 24th Avenue to 25th Avenue and will include the portion of the road in front of Blair School of Music and West Garage. Read More