Part of Hull Road will be blocked off for at least three weeks because of the construction of a new hotel.
Since last week, Hull Road from Southwest 37th Street to Southwest 17th Avenue has been closed as workers build the new Aloft Hotel, which will be located near The Ridge at Gainesville, said Chip Skinner, the Regional Transit System marketing and communications supervisor.
Skinner said he expects the road to be open again by early May unless poor weather and potential sinkholes prolong the road closure. The hotel, which will have 200 to 300 rooms, is set to open in October 2018.
A detour has been set up, and one bus stop near The Ridge has been blocked off, though residents can still use other route 20 bus stops nearby, he said.
Michaela Pattison, a UF family, youth and community sciences sophomore, said the construction near her apartment at The Ridge hasn’t been noticeable.
While the 19-year-old said she rides to UF on her scooter most days, both of her roommates rely on RTS buses to get to class.
“I know from when I’ve taken the buses that they run pretty regularly, and for the most part they’re pretty reliable,” Pattison said.
Although the hotel will be close to Southwest 34th Street and Southwest 20th Avenue, Skinner said he doesn’t expect there to be an impact on traffic.
“Being in such close proximity to the University of Florida, I’m sure it will be popular,” Skinner said. “I’m sure for different events going on, and I’m sure every room will be booked for football season.”
