15th Street Closing on University of Wyoming Campus in July

As part of the University of Wyoming’s $210-million Dorm Project, parts of 15th Street will be closed in phases for over a month. The sectional road closing will be in effect July 6-Aug. 10, to allow Simon Contractors to complete water and sewer connections for the project. The City of Laramie’s press release listed the road closure schedule:

• Phase 1 –South of Willett to Sorority Row – July 6 to July 19
• Phase 2 – The intersection of Willett & 15th Street - July 20 to July 28
• Phase 3 – North of Willett to Bradley – July 31 to Aug. 10

Two new residence halls and a new dining facility are being constructed on campus. The new dorms are planned for first-year students to further connect them with campus life, closer to amenities like Coe Library, the Wyoming Union, and Half Acre Gym. The University’s Division of Finance and Administration page states that “Bringing first-year housing into the historic campus core also removes the barrier and risk that crossing 15th Street represents in resident students’ daily life experience.” 

The Dorm Project is for safety, connection, and modernity for the 100-plus-year-old institution. 

“We have known for some time that our current residence halls, now more than 50 years old, need to be replaced. These new facilities, located closer to the central campus and featuring modern design and amenities, will be a significant upgrade for student life at our university,” UW President Ed Seidel said in a statement on the Housing & Dining Facilities website.  

The new residence halls will initially replace 950 student beds, and the new dining hall will seat 850. Opening of the halls and dining facility is projected for the fall of 2025.