Drivers who use University Avenue for their daily commute can expect heavier congestion starting Monday as construction continues on the University Bikeway project in Rolando Park. Beginning Monday, a stretch of University Avenue from 60th to 69th streets will be reduced to one lane in each direc tion. Through traffic and left turns will also be closed at several intersections, creating concerns for drivers and nearby businesses. Customers and business owners along the busy corridor said traffic is likely to worsen before improvements are finished. “Oh, it’s just going to be like, I’m in a traffic jam.” Laronika Linton said she regularly drives along University Avenue to get her hair done and worries about how the added congestion could affect her commute. “Like when they have an accident on the freeway, that’s bumper to bumper. It’s going to like rise my anxiety, I got high anxiety. So I’m like, oh.” At nearby VIP Nails, owner Thanh Nguyen said construction could make the area appear less appealing to customers. “Just makes the city more crowded, just more messy look[ing].” The construction is part of the ongoing University Bikeway project, which includes protected intersections intended to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Omar Atayee, a principal engineer with SANDAG, said construction projects can sometimes encounter unexpected issues underground. “The challenges with construction like, sometimes, you don’t know what you’re going to find when you dig things up so sometimes you find utilities that weren’t on the plans or marked out anywhere and you have to deal with it because you accidentally hit it.” It is not yet clear when this specific stretch of construction will be finished. Despite the expected congestion, customers told NBC 7 they still plan to support businesses in the area. Champa Yam, a customer at VIP Nails, said she will continue visiting the salon despite the inconvenience. “She’s worth it of course. Always. She’s like pretty much family.” Linton said the same about her hairstylist. “No, I will not change my hair lady” Earlier this year, construction for the project took place between Fairmount and Euclid avenues. Last month, shop owners told NBC 7 delays in construction had already frustrated business sales in the City Heights area. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less