During the break, construction will continue on Parking Structure 4, which is expected to provide approximately 1,150 spaces for fall 2016.
During the winter break, numerous construction projects will progress. Some of the projects will temporarily affect bus routes and on-campus road access, specifically roadways on the southwest part of campus where a parking structure is under construction and expected to open next fall.
Loop Road and another piece of the campus enhancement project north of the student union are close to completion, while utility work is underway and will affect parking at University Village.
“As UT Dallas grows, we recognize the needs of our campus community are changing in terms of space and service.” said Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, vice president for administration. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to strategically expand and reinvigorate our infrastructure, increase our services and enhance the overall UT Dallas experience for students, faculty, staff and visitors.”
Roads and Parking
The Loop Road expansion project, in partnership with the city of Richardson, is scheduled for completion on Friday when the remaining road and bridge connections from Lot A to Rutford Avenue will open to form a complete inner-campus loop. This area also will include new sidewalks and landscaping along Loop Road.
Construction also continues on Parking Structure 4, which will provide approximately 1,150 spaces for fall 2016. Several areas of road and utility work are included in this project.
Parts of Drive H, Drive A and Loop Road will be closed starting Sunday to allow crews to extend Drive H and widen Drive A. Portions of this work are expected to be complete in January and March, but Drive A will remain closed until August.
A segment of the parking lots in phases 4 and 5 of University Village apartments also will be closed for construction from Sunday through May to install new utility infrastructure to support campus growth (see map). Drivers will need to enter the lot from Drive H; south entrances will be closed on Drive A. Various lane closures may occur as the project progresses.
Transportation Changes
Effective Monday, Comet Cruiser buses will operate new routes to avoid campus road construction. These routes will remain in place for the next several months until construction is complete and routes can be re-evaluated. Buses will run with the same frequency and will continue to include service to Wal-Mart, but a number of bus stops and holding points will change. Service to all Rutford Avenue and Drive A stops will cease. There will be a south campus holding point at the Visitor Center and University Bookstore (VCB) near the traffic circle with the existing stops near Synergy Park North (SPN) and the Natural Science and Engineering Research Lab (NSERL) buildings serving north campus.
Additionally, Route 883 West buses will no longer serve 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. When the spring semester begins Jan. 11, Comet Cabs will resume their routes, shuttling riders across campus.
Landscape Enhancement
Work on the walkway from the Trellis to Rutford Avenue is on track to be completed by the start of the spring semester, weather permitting. The improvements will be complementary to the recently opened North Mall.
Progress also continues on landscape work 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 will remain accessible during the project, which is estimated to be finished late spring 2016.
These areas are part of the multiphase Campus Landscape Enhancement Project, made possible by a generous gift.
Buildings
Crews are working to complete the Bioengineering and Sciences Building, which is scheduled to welcome its first occupants in early January. The 220,000-square-foot facility will be the largest academic building on campus. It will provide research and teaching laboratories and will connect to the Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory (NSERL) .
Construction also continues on the Student Services Building Addition (SSBA), scheduled to be completed in August, and the Callier Richardson expansion, with completion projected for December 2016. 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 which is projected for completion in late fall of 2016. 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.