Crews work on new landscaping for the newly opened campus walkway that runs from the Trellis to Rutford Avenue. The remodeled walkway, which features improved lighting and additional seating areas, is part of the multiphase Campus Enhancement Project.
Over the winter break, several projects were completed to improve on-campus pedestrian and vehicle traffic flow, increase parking options, enhance the campus grounds, and provide additional academic space for the spring semester. Other projects continue that will temporarily affect bus routes and some campus road access.
“Our teams have worked hard to bring several additions to campus this semester,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for administration. “We are continuing work on several new projects to keep up with our University’s phenomenal growth. Please continue to ‘pardon our progress’ as we focus on new construction, campus navigation and pedestrian friendliness.”
Walkway from Trellis to Rutford Reopens
Several building entrances have reopened with the completion of the remodeled walkway between the Trellis and Rutford Avenue. For desktop computer users, click here to enlarge the map. Click here to print it.
The walkway from the Trellis to Rutford Avenue has reopened to pedestrians, as have several building entrances that were closed as part of the multiphase Campus Enhancement Project. The pathway features improved greenery, lighting and additional seating areas.
Occupants also are moving in to the recently opened Bioengineering and Sciences Building (BSB), the largest academic building on campus. The 220,000-square-foot facility provides research and teaching laboratories, and connects to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Laboratory (NSERL) for easy access and collaboration.
Lot P, on the south side of BSB, is now open for gold, orange and purple parking permit holders. In addition, on the northwest side of campus, green and gold spaces were added to Lot T. A connection from Lot T to Lot T Overflow also was created (see parking map).
The Loop Road expansion project, in partnership with the city of Richardson, has been completed. The new road and bridge connections, which also feature sidewalks and landscaping, help form a complete inner-campus loop to help aid traffic flow on campus.
Work Continues on Roads, Parking Structure 4
Road construction will continue in the southwest part of campus throughout the spring semester. For desktop computer users, click here to enlarge the map. Click here to print it.
Construction on Parking Structure 4 and its corresponding road and utility work made progress over the break.
Parts of Drive H and Drive A are closed to allow crews to extend Drive H and widen Drive A. A portion of the parking lots in phases 4 and 5 of University Village is closed for construction through May to install new utility infrastructure to support campus growth (see map). Various lane closures may occur as the project progresses. Once completed, the structure will provide approximately 1,150 spaces next fall.
Campus enhancement work continues near the Visual Arts Studio (AS), the Science Learning Center (SLC), Founders North (FN), Founders Building (FO) and Founders West Annex (FA). Some pedestrian paths are blocked by fencing, but all buildings in the area will remain accessible until this phase of the project is completed in late spring. The west side door to the Student Union Food Court is closed to better accommodate construction on the project (see map).
Construction also continues on the Callier Richardson expansion, scheduled to be completed in August, and on the Student Services Building Addition (SSBA), with completion projected for late fall. In addition, progress is being made on the Brain Performance Institute and the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center projects, which are scheduled for completion in 2017.
Nearby, co-developers Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions LLC and Wynne/Jackson Inc. are continuing work on Northside, the mixed-use development that is projected for completion in late fall. Various lane closures may occur on Synergy Park Boulevard until the work is complete, so watch for construction crews and barricades in the area.
Visit the Pardon Our Progress website for additional updates on these and other projects happening on campus.
Reminders
Transportation Changes
Comet Cruiser buses now operate on new routes to avoid campus road construction (see map). These routes will remain in place for the next several months until construction is completed and routes can be re-evaluated. Buses will run with the same frequency (see schedule) and will continue to include service to Wal-Mart, but a number of bus stops and holding points have changed.
Service to all Rutford Avenue and Drive A stops has ceased. There is a south campus holding point at the Visitor Center and University Bookstore (VCB) near the traffic circle with the existing stops near the Synergy Park North (SPN) and NSERL buildings serving north campus. Additionally, the Route 883 West no longer serves Waterview Science and Technology Center (WSTC), Research and Operations Center (ROC) or SPN. These areas will be covered by Route 883 East, meaning riders must transfer at the VCB holding point. Please look for signage at the traffic circle and on bus windows to ensure you are on the right bus.
Comet Cab routes will also be available to speed travel across campus, with the exception of Phase 1-3 and Phase 4-7 routes, which will be closed for the spring semester due to construction. Please review the routes and plan accordingly.
New Mailbox Location
Due to construction along Drive A, the U.S. Postal Service Mailbox has been moved to the pedestrian path between Lots A and B, next to the FedEx and UPS drop boxes.
Dining
Dining Services will operate on January hours until Monday, when all locations will begin spring semester hours.
