Temporary Detours Near Putah Creek Lodge During Big Shift Construction
People traveling through areas near Putah Creek Lodge and the Cole Facility will encounter temporary road and pathway closures as work continues on the Big Shift. The changes affect access to places including the Arboretum, Animal Science facilities including the Cole Facility, Horse Barn and Coffee Center as well as Putah Creek Lodge and its nearby parking lot. The closures are anticipated to remain in place through winter 2027, though access may be restored sooner depending on construction progress.
No construction is taking place within the Arboretum. However, Arboretum pathways on the north side of the Arboretum Waterway, from the Putah Creek Lodge parking lot to the Cole Arena area, are temporarily closed. These closures keep visitors safely separated from construction vehicles and changing traffic patterns associated with the work.
What to expect
- Putah Creek Lodge Drive is closed to pedestrians and bicyclists through the affected area.
- Pathways on the north side of the Arboretum Waterway are closed from the Putah Creek Lodge parking lot to the Cole Arena area.
- Pedestrians and bicyclists are being rerouted south of the closure along a signed detour near Putah Creek Lodge and Old Davis Road.
- Bicyclists are asked to dismount and walk their bikes at pathway transitions and other constrained locations.
- The sidewalk near the Coffee Center is closed, with signs directing pedestrians to an alternate route.
- Vehicle access on Putah Creek Lodge Drive is restricted to approved campus and Cole Facility vehicles. Flaggers will assist with large-vehicle movements when needed.
- Drivers may be redirected using Garrod Drive, and some parking spaces near the western end of the closure will be temporarily unavailable.
- Emergency access will be maintained throughout the work.
Visitors can continue to enjoy other areas of the Arboretum. Please allow a little extra travel time, follow posted signs and use the routes shown on the detour map. Conditions may change as construction progresses.
About the construction
The nearby work is part of the second phase of the Big Shift and includes installing underground piping to expand the campus hot-water heating system. The Big Shift is replacing UC Davis’ aging, fossil-fuel-powered steam infrastructure with a more efficient system that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and avoid continued investment in outdated infrastructure.
The closures and detours are anticipated to remain in place through winter 2027, though access may be restored sooner depending on construction progress.
Thank you for your patience and for following posted detours as UC Davis makes this important investment in a more sustainable campus.