Tempe this week will be installing a public art piece to the  railroad underpass on Mill Avenue between 13th Street and Broadway Road. 

Traffic in the area will be affected June 2-6, city officials said.

The following restrictions will be in place:

• Mill Avenue between 13th Street and Broadway Road will be restricted to one lane in each direction, with a reduced speed limit of 25 mph. (Transit service and bus stops will not be affected during construction.) 
• At Mill Avenue and Bonita Way, left turns will not be permitted. 
• At Mill Avenue and 14th Street, left turns will  not be permitted. 
• Access to the HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center will only be available on Thomas Lane as the driveway on Mill Avenue will be closed. 
• Access to Tempe High School will only be available on Broadway Road. The driveway on Mill Avenue will be for exit only.

Pedestrian access along the west side of the road will be maintained with temporary access provided within the road, separated from traffic.

Bicyclists may use the full lane and ride with traffic or walk with their bike within the pedestrian diversion on the west side, according to a city release.

The art being installed is titled “Sun Garden” and includes "nature-inspired sculptural elements that will stretch upward from the existing terraced planters along the west side of the underpass,"  the city release stated.

"The sculptures’ translucent material is designed to catch sunlight and project colored shadows along adjacent surfaces, changing throughout the day as the sun rises and sets."

The artwork includes 15 sculptures made from steel and a colored polycarbonate material.

The design was inspired by the gardens in the surrounding neighborhood.

After power is added to the site, lighting features will be installed to wash the walls of the underpass in color at night, according to the city.

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