Starting Monday, November 19, motorists who use Parking Garage II on Erwin Road are urged to allow more time to park as construction gets underway on a scheduled maintenance project that is expected to last until July.

The garage, which is used primarily by Duke Hospital staff, patients and visitors, will remain open, but there will be brief closures of entrances during the six-month project. Detour signs will direct drivers to alternate entrances.

Protective scaffolding will be installed over sidewalks in 12 areas around the garage, including above the tunnel entrance that leads to the south side of Erwin Road and Duke University Hospital.

In addition to the preliminary exterior work underway this month, maintenance of interior and exterior areas of Parking Garage II is scheduled to begin in January 2008. Guard rails will be installed around the perimeter of each floor to prevent vehicles from damaging the interior walls. On the exterior, pre-cast concrete panels will be replaced and other structural improvements will be completed.

When the interior work begins in January, some parking spaces will be temporarily unavailable. Permit holders will be notified by e-mail in advance of major changes.