OSU students wait to cross the street at the corner of Lane and Neil avenues beside closed portions of Lane Avenue Oct. 31.
Credit: Sam Harrington / Lantern reporter
Ohio State plans to continue work on more than $567 million in construction projects this summer.
Alison Hinkle, an Administration and Planning spokeswoman, said many construction projects are saved for the summer when there are less students on campus.
“These projects are done to keep up with a university that runs 365 days a year,” Hinkle said.
Workers are set to focus on five projects this summer, Hinkle said in an email:
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12th Avenue Garage: A new entrance is being built to allow for better circulation through the garage and to ease traffic on 12th Avenue. Completion is scheduled for July and the project is set to cost $346,000.
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North Residential District Transformation: Foundations are being laid for new buildings and dormitories as the university plans to add 3,200 additional beds through the construction of 11 new buildings. Completion is scheduled for fall 2016 and the project is set to cost $370 million. The project is funded by a variety of sources, including external bonds, an internal loan and university reserve funds.
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East Regional Chiller Water Plant: The project aims to provide chilled water to multiple Academic Core North buildings. Completion is scheduled for fall 2014 and the project is set to cost $66.8 million, provided by university bonds.
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Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Building: Civic improvements, which include improving things such as sidewalks and road signs, are scheduled to be made over the course of the summer. Completion is scheduled for fall 2014 and the project is set to cost $126.3 million, funded by development funds.
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North High Street Landscape: Landscaping will be done to the university side of High Street near Woodruff and 17th avenues over the summer and is scheduled for completion by August 2014. It is set to cost $3.88 million, provided by central funding and bonds.
Mary Wirtz, a third-year in biochemistry, said she thinks the construction is great.
“There’s so much innovation and projects going on on North Campus,” Wirtz said. “I think it’s really going to be the place to be in a few years.”
Joseph Ragan, a fourth-year in psychology, agreed but said the construction has affected him personally.
“The project here on Lane (Avenue), it has just affected my commute a little,” Ragan said. “It blocks off a big area.”
Eastbound Lane Avenue was reduced to one lane between Neil Avenue and Peasley Street in October and is expected to remain limited to one lane until Summer 2016 to accommodate North Residential District Transformation construction, Hinkle said during Fall Semester.
Even though the construction can cause inconvenience to some people, Hinkle said everyone in the area should respect the construction, fencing and barriers.
“Stop, look and listen when in construction zones,” Hinkle said.
