This post was updated Nov. 8 at 10:16 p.m.

As UCLA expands university-owned housing in Westwood, students said construction has caused disturbances and safety concerns for residents living nearby.

UCLA is constructing a 19-story apartment complex for undergraduate students at 901 Levering Ave., which will offer 1,134 beds across 146 apartment units. The project, which was approved by the UC Board of Regents in March, is set to be completed in January 2029.

[Related: UC Regents committee requests $8.7 million to fund Levering Avenue student housing]

The project is part of the university’s efforts to provide four consecutive years of guaranteed housing for incoming first-year students and two consecutive years for transfer students, a UCLA Housing spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“UCLA’s undergraduate housing guarantees are an important part of the student experience, and expanding our housing inventory helps us continue meeting those commitments while responding to student preferences,” the spokesperson said.

Students said road and sidewalk closures at the intersection of Gayley Avenue and Levering Avenue have created inconvenient detours and safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians.

Demolition of the previous apartment buildings at the property and shoring are planned through fall 2026, and construction will continue through 2028, the UCLA Housing spokesperson added.

“It’s really inconvenient to have that entire side of the road blocked,” said Molly Wiens, a fourth-year cognitive science student.

Construction-related traffic congestion peaks during rush hour, Wiens added.

Construction takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, the UCLA Housing spokesperson said in the statement. The project includes establishing designated routes for construction vehicles, which can disrupt nearby streets and pedestrian access, they added.

Bella Aboulhosn, a fourth-year theater student, said the road closure has caused problems for self-driving Waymo vehicles.

“They (Waymos) have no idea of this road closure,” Aboulhosn said. “Sometimes a Waymo will be sitting there blocking the road for however long, and it creates an even bigger traffic pileup.”

UCLA Housing is monitoring construction and students’ concerns with Residential Life through a construction mitigation committee, the spokesperson said in the statement. The university has a website with updates on construction schedules and potential noise, dust and traffic impacts, they added.

However, Aboulhosn said she would appreciate more direct communication from UCLA.

“I do think that if they’re planning to have this be a long term situation, then they definitely need to let residents know,” she said.