Work has begun on a new roundabout to replace a traffic light at the intersection of University Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive.

Troy officials said the intersection change is to improve traffic flow between the two roads as a new parking lot opens to take the place of Sartain Hall, which was demolished while a new recreation center was built.

Herb Reeves, dean of students services, said the construction will take about three months and that the portion of University Avenue from Shackleford Hall to the intersection will be closed while the project continues.

Although the construction will continue into the fall, Reeves said the closure would not greatly impact traffic flow for football games.

“It’s mostly going to impact student traffic,” Reeves said. “That portion of University Avenue already closes during home games, so it shouldn’t have any major impact.”

Reeves said the new Trojan Fitness Center is expected to be open by October 1, and that the construction including the roundabout and the new parking lot should also be done at that time. Once open, the new parking lot may be able to accommodate gameday traffic.

Through traffic crossing the Troy Campus (east and west bound) should use John M. Long Avenue, Pell Avenue, or McKinley Drive to College Drive to Elm Street. The campus can be avoided altogether by using Elm Street as a connector between South Brundidge Street and George Wallace Drive, on the north side of campus, or using Pell Avenue between Park Street and George Wallace Drive.