PULLMAN, Wash. — While Washington State University project engineers gear up for some $7-10 million in summer construction for the Pullman campus, others are planning ways to navigate daily pedestrian and vehicle traffic throughout the 600-acre property.
The major activity set to start in early June is the $2.5 million Stadium Way project from Nevada Street to Grimes Way. It includes pavement, median strip and increased lighting. A new traffic signal will be installed at the Nevada-Stadium Way intersection and the lights at Grimes and Wilson Road will be synchronized to minimize vehicle stacking.
The project also includes new Stadium Way information signs and bus shelters at several locations around campus. New fencing will be installed around Mooberry Track and new storm sewer piping under Grimes Way. The pedestrian bridge to Kruegel Hall will be removed.
Contractors will keep two lanes of traffic open during most of the construction period. However, there may be some detours via Olympia/Grimes or Quad Services/Wilson with signs or flaggers.
The project is expected to begin June 3 and the road should be fully useable by Aug. 15.
“During the time, we hope faculty, staff and students will use other routes to campus,” said Keith Bloom, quality assurance office for Capital Planning and Development. Signage will encourage drivers to enter campus from Moscow via Airport Road. Alternate routes onto campus include Kamiakin and Spring Street to College Avenue can get vehicles to the campus’ westside while North Grand to Stadium Way can bring traffic to most parts of campus.
Other summer projects on the Pullman campus include:
A $1.5 million Library Road redevelopment project begins in early June and should be completed in October. It includes improvement for pedestrian access between Owen Science and Engineering Library and Stimson Hall and then north along Library Road between Science and Fulmer halls.
Construction begins this summer on the $7.2 million Murrow Hall Addition and a new energy plant on Grimes Way.
Construction of the $6.2 million indoor practice facility continues on South Fairway Road until its completion in September.
Construction also continues on a shock physics building that is on a schedule to be completed in mid-year 2003.
Nearly $1 million in minor capital projects also are part of the summer activity. Robert Corcoran, an assistant director at Facilities Operations, said road improvements and reconstruction, a new parking lot at the golf course, and steam tunnel repair work electrical feed and distribution work on Stadium Way and throughout campus area are among the dozen or more summer projects.
A Web site is being set up to show alternate ways to enter campus during the construction period, and provide updates on the projects. The site address is cpd.wsu.edu/summer2002. Maps are available at the WSU Visitors Center and area hotels to assist guests walk and drive around campus.
