Now that we (mostly) have the kids out of the house for a few weeks, let’s get a little work done around here. Construction season is already in full swing on campus, with a number of capital and infrastructure improvements on the slate for summer.
A trio of large capital projects is already underway, including the new Music building, scheduled for mid-summer completion with move-in prior to new academic term; Delaware Hall, scheduled to be completed by the new academic term; and the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS)/Nursing building, scheduled to open in early 2017.
Beyond those high-profile projects, Summer 2015 will feature a variety of infrastructure enhancements across the campus, including:
Westminster Parking Lot
Duration: Three weeks in mid-to-late summer.
Features: A new lot is being added to the south of Westminster Hall. The roughly 90 new spaces will be designed for grey permit holders.
South Valley Parking Lot
Duration: Three weeks in second half of summer.
Features: New spaces are being added, extending the South Valley Lot along Huron Drive. South Valley is quickly becoming one of the more popular lots on campus, growing last year and again adding another 150 new grey permit spaces this year.
Westminster Pedestrian Bridge
Duration: 12 weeks in second half of summer.
Features: The modernization of the pedestrian bridge will feature an accessible ramp, meeting Western’s commitment to create a barrier-free institution. A temporary bridge will be installed adjacent to the current structure, mitigating interruption to pedestrian passage.
Elgin Drive Resurfacing
Duration: Three weeks in June and July.
Service Interruption: Rotating lane closures are expected throughout the project.
Features: The busy bus and University Community centre (UCC) delivery route faces heavy, unforgiving loads. The worn roadway will get a fresh coat of asphalt.
Sanitary Sewer / Pump Station Installation
Duration: May 1-Aug. 31
Service Interruptions: Complete closure of Huron Drive at Philip Aziz Avenue (through June30). Parking lots will be accessible via detours.
Features: Greater demands are being put on infrastructure in the South Valley precinct of campus, including the new FIMS/Nursing building, requiring sanitary sewer upgrades. The project will prepare the site for future development.
Perth Drive Pedestrian Crossing
Duration: 12 weeks beginning in August.
Features: The crossing will include traffic lights, similar to the crossing farther South on Perth Drive. The new infrastructure will create a more visible and accessible crossing from Chemistry Parking Lot to main campus.
Updates for all projects will be available at uwo.ca/fm throughout the summer.