---------- Forwarded Message ----------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/31/05
CONTACT: John Harrod, (608) 263-3077, [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Pete
Heaslett, (608) 263-3012, [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Dan Dudley, (608)
263-2359, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PEDESTRIANS, MOTORISTS URGED TO AVOID CONSTRUCTION ZONES
MADISON - An ongoing upgrade of central campus utilities has prompted
University of Wisconsin-Madison officials to ask pedestrians and
motorists to avoid congested campus construction zones when possible.
"For the safety of construction workers, drivers, cyclists and
pedestrians, we hope that people plan ahead and ;take alternate routes,"
says John Harrod, campus physical plant director. "In addition to
helping keep the campus safe, it will save everyone the inconvenience
and delay associated with navigating construction zones."
The most congestion is expected in utility construction zones along
Linden Drive, from Henry Mall to Babcock Drive, and on Observatory
Drive, from Willow Creek to Babcock Drive.
Because of the work, Harrod recommends that motorists avoid the areas,
especially during busy class changes.
The areas are part of the Central Campus Utility Project, which will
upgrade utilities that supply buildings with steam, chilled water and
electric power. Adding to the disruption in the area is the construction
of the Microbial Sciences Building on Babcock Drive, between Observatory
Drive and Linden Drive.
A sidewalk on the north side of Linden Drive, from Agricultural Hall to
Babcock Drive, has been narrowed considerably as work continues. Harrod
urged pedestrians to consider using alternate routes as well.
Officials recommend that people walking in the area use a hillside
sidewalk that crosses directly in front of Agricultural Hall just north
of the construction area. That sidewalk then leads between King Hall and
Hiram Smith Hall to Observatory Drive.
Pedestrians are also able to detour the Linden Drive construction area
on the south side, behind the State Laboratory of Hygiene and across
Henry Mall. Sidewalk detour signs will be posted in the area to guide
pedestrians through the construction area.
Under no circumstances should pedestrians walk on Linden Drive between
the concrete construction barriers, officials warn. As classes begin,
campus police and t ransportation staff will be on hand to evaluate
problems and redirect traffic if needed.
Although Babcock Drive has been closed between Observatory and Linden, a
pedestrian pathway has been maintained along Babcock's west side,
enabling pedestrians to walk between the two thoroughfares.
Work on Observatory Drive is not expected to be complete until next
spring, but the utility work on Linden Drive should finish by early
November. Crews will then continue utility construction along the east
side of Henry Mall.
In addition to upgrading utility capacity, the&nbs p;project will provide bike
lanes in each direction between Babcock Drive and Easterday Lane, as
well as new street lighting and tree plantings.
Excavated soil from the project will be deposited in low-lying
recreational fields on either side of Elm Drive north of Observatory,
improving those facilities. The fields will be re-seeded in late August
2006, and the grass needs about a year for root systems to be well
established and hold up to foot traffic.
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