Observatory Street Construction Reroutes Summer Arboretum Parking and Traffic

April 21, 2016

Visitors who drive to Nichols Arboretum this summer will need to take a slight diversion as water-main construction begins in early May on Observatory Street, and Washington Hts. becomes a two-way street. As a result, parking meters on Washington Hts. will go away for the duration of the repairs.

The four dedicated Arboretum parking spaces currently located on Washington Hts. near the entrance to the Arb will move to the U-M blue lot M95 (see map below with arrow) across the street from the Arboretum entrance. 

University of Michigan M95 parking lot

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University of Michigan Hospital P2 parking structure.

If you visit the Arb and park in one of these spaces you’ll need to get a hang tag from Matthaei-Nichols staff in the lower level of the Arboretum Visitor Center at the Arb entrance. You’ll definitely need that tag to park in one of the in M95 spots as parking enforcement regularly patrols on central campus. There’s also an option to park during the day before 5 pm in the University of Michigan Hospital P2 parking structure located on E. Medical Center Dr. Parking in the hospital structure costs $2 for a stay of four hours or less. (See map for location of P2 structure.)

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Phase 1 construction May-June 2016

Vehicle access to Washington Heights will change over the summer as well.  During Phase 1 of the project (May-June), drivers can access Washington Hts. and the Arb from either E. Medical Center Drive or the Geddes end of Observatory. Additionally, the “T” intersection of Observatory and E-Medical Center will be closed during Phase 1. (See map of Phase 1.) 

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Phase 2 construction July-August 2016

During Phase 2 (July-August), the west end of Washington Heights (the “T” intersection of Washington Hts. and Observatory) will be closed and vehicle will only have access to Nichols Arboretum from E. Medical Center Drive. (See map of Phase 2.)

Foot traffic to the Arb via Observatory and E. Medical Center Dr. will remain open during both construction phases.

Visitors to the Arb are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transportation as much as possible. University of Michigan blue buses are free and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (The Ride), offer several routes with stops very close to the Arboretum.

For more information on public transportation options visit theride.org and the U-M’s bus ride and schedules web page.