Summer may be coming to an end, but the construction vacuum on the Strip is far from over.

An eastbound and westbound lane between Alcoa Highway and 22nd Street on Cumberland Avenue reopened Aug. 1 after an almost month-long closure. These reopened lanes will allow incoming students and families onto campus for the new fall semester.

Wallace said the reopening marks a “major milestone” in the construction’s progress and reported that the project’s Phase I — upgraded piping, improved traffic flow and additional “streetscaping” — is on schedule for completion by the end of 2017.

For nearly two weeks, Cumberland Avenue’s lower half was closed due to the installation of a new 42-inch storm drain, built 12 feet under the pavement. In addition, construction crews also rebuilt an at-grade rail crossing near I-40 and Alcoa Highway.

Construction of this nature prevented vehicles from entering the University Commons without driving around to the Neyland Drive entrance. Wallace also stated that Cumberland Avenue’s organization will be able to accommodate the start of fall classes and football season.

The lanes will remain open in both directions for the rest of the year while city construction finishes Phase I by the end of the year. Remaining updates in Phase I include, new street lighting on the north side of the street, improved access to the Metron Center, improved access to Tyson Park, new turning signals and a complete resurfacing on Cumberland Avenue.

Starting on Monday, a crew contracted by Southern Constructors will close the intersection at 21st Street and Cumberland Avenue to install a new sewer main. Entrances to the Starbucks and Mellow Mushroom will be left open, but motorists should take note of the following changes:

• Volunteer Boulevard from Andy Holt Avenue to Cumberland Avenue — Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic patterns will be shifted during work scheduled for Aug. 1 through Aug. 11.
• Terrace Avenue from Volunteer Boulevard to Lake Avenue — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 3 and resurfacing on Aug. 4.
• Cumberland Avenue from 16th Street to 17th Street — The outside westbound lane will undergo a full-depth repair and one spot on the outside eastbound lane will be repaired Aug. 12 through Aug. 16.

For the Fort Sanders and remaining Cumberland Avenue area, these changes will also take effect for the next two weeks:

• Bridge Avenue from 12th Street to 13th Street — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 8 and resurfacing on Aug. 12.
• Clinch Avenue from 11th Street to 14th Street — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 8 and resurfacing on Aug. 12.
• Forest Avenue from 13th Street to East End — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 8 and resurfacing on Aug. 12.
• White Avenue from James Agee Street to 11th Street — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 10 and resurfacing on Aug. 13.
• Dale Avenue from I-40 ramp to Western Avenue — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 4 and resurfacing on Aug. 6.
• Tudor Street from Blackstock Avenue to Dale Avenue — This stretch will undergo milling on Aug. 4 and resurfacing on Aug. 6.

A traffic map to regulate changing patterns was solidified last month, and will be used to direct current and future changes as the Cumberland Corridor Project continues the $17 million facelift.

The CumberlandConnect app is available on all smart phones to receive notifications on progress and road closures caused by the project.

For updates on street construction, traffic changes and other information, visit http://cumberlandconnections.blogspot.com/.