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Inside Iowa State, a newspaper for faculty and staff, is published by the Office of University Relations.

Sept. 12, 2008

Osborn Drive section closing Sept. 15 for two months

by Anne Krapfl

Better-than anticipated progress on the underground utilities project in the northwest corner of campus has altered the project schedule again.

"We're able to move some dates forward, which should allow the crews to work in better weather and wrap up work at the south end (outside Coover Hall) by winter," said Mark Stephenson, construction project manager in facilities planning and management.

A short section of Osborn Drive, between Coover Hall and the Armory, now is scheduled to close Monday morning, Sept. 15. It will remain closed through at least Friday, Nov. 21.

Weather-related or other delays this fall could change the schedule as work proceeds, Stephenson said, but he said the contractor has made a significant commitment to the project and crews are working extended hours to complete the work this fall.

"We believe this schedule is reasonable, but weather could affect their progress," he said. He also noted there are numerous underground utility crossings north of Coover Hall, which complicates the work and has the potential to slow progress.

Foot traffic near west end of Osborn

Pedestrians will be able to move east and west in the Osborn Drive corridor throughout the construction, but Stephenson said the specific location of the walkway will change. For their safety, walkers in the area are asked to use the designated route.

Why all this digging?

Included in the budget for the new chemistry facility (Hach Hall) is a new underground utility corridor (steam, chilled water, domestic water, natural gas) for the building site. This work also expands the utilities capacity for future growth in the northwest part of campus. The new corridor will run beneath parking lot 23. It ties utilities that run along the south side of Osborn Drive to those on the north side of Pammel Drive; thus the need to dig at both locations. Pammel Drive was closed for much of the summer.

More CyRide traffic on Pammel Drive

Effective Sept. 15 and while Osborn Drive is closed, Pammel Drive will become the alternate route for five CyRide routes: Blue, Brown, Green, Purple and Red. Four temporary bus stops will be added along Pammel Drive between Bissell and Stange roads, for a total of six CyRide stops in this stretch of the road. The designated bus transfer stops will be in front of Industrial Education II and Lagomarcino halls.

CyRide's Orange route, which provides service between central campus and the Vet Med campus, via the Iowa State Center lots, will not change.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation throughout this project," Stephenson said.

Summary

A short section of Osborn Drive, between Coover Hall and the Armory, is scheduled to close Monday morning, Sept. 15. It will remain closed through at least Friday, Nov. 21, for underground utilities work.