Have you noticed the fences going up near Ag Hall? Contractors are preparing for a utility project that will impact a large area on the west side of Ag Hall, including Hiram Smith, Soils-King Hall, Soils-King Greenhouses, Hiram Smith Annex, Microbial Sciences Building and Ag Hall. The project officially starts on May 16 and is anticipated to be completed in November. Project details are below.

The preparation phase
During the current preparation stage (now through 5/16), the contractor will set up fencing and pedestrian signage. Numerous walkways will be closed. The contractor will begin selective demolition and earthwork to enable equipment access into the project area and some initial utility work at the Lot 26 drive entrance. There will be minor noise associated with this work.

NOTE: The contractor will not be performing excessively noisy work during finals week. 

About the project
The project, named “Site Util Steam Pit 59/10 to Ag Bulletin Utility Reconstruction (DFD#19G2D))” replaces roughly 600 feet of old brick steam tunnel between Linden Drive, Ag Hall and Ag Bulletin Hall. It also includes the replacement of fiber optic cables being fed out of Ag Hall and new fiber will be routed to bring existing buildings online with the campus. There will be installation of new water heater, softener and RO system in Hiram Smith and the Annex. All project site areas will be fully restored including roadways and gutters, pedestrian walkways, terraces, landscaping features and site structures.

Noise, vibrations and odors
The project will involve large excavators, trucks, shoring installation, pipe removal and installation and pavement removal and replacement. This work will produce the usual level of noise, vibration and inconveniences as other projects of this type. There will be some construction immediately next to Hiram Smith, Soils-King Hall, Soils-King Greenhouses, Hiram Smith Annex, Microbial and Ag Hall. The allowable construction work hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Efforts will be made to minimize construction odor from getting inside the buildings. Some noise and vibrations from this construction will be unavoidable.

Building access
Certain entrances will be closed at Microbial, Soils-King, Ag Bulletin, Hiram Smith and Hiram Smith Annex at different points during the project. Portions of Ag Hall on the basement level will be closed for an extended period of time over the summer.

Parking lot and roads
Lot 26 will be closed for the majority of the construction project. There may be some short closures or partial closures of Observatory Drive and Linden Drive.