Campus construction complete in some areas

By VICTORIA FREILE
Collegian Staff Writer

Fall Semester officially began today with the start of classes. However, with all the construction that took place on campus this summer, buildings such as the HUB may not be recognizable to returning students.

The largest construction projects continue to be the HUB/Paul Robeson Cultural Center Expansion Project and the Paterno Library at Pattee, said Paul Ruskin, public affairs coordinator for the Office of Physical Plant.

"We have 125 construction projects across campus," Ruskin said. "Some finished, some still ongoing, but all are part of a $552 million, five-year construction plan."

Construction this summer ranged from sidewalk installations to road and parking lot resurfacing, Ruskin added.

"The summer's construction activity is rather extensive," said Jeff Mallory, director of design and construction.

Ruskin said projects that could have hindered students' ability to move in were completed before the start of the semester.

One important change for students and faculty is the thru-traffic alteration to Pollock Road. Previously, two large gates were placed on the road to regulate traffic. Last week, OPP moved the gate that was behind Old Main farther down the road, adjacent to Carnegie Building.

"We did this because we want to increase pedestrian safety on campus," Ruskin said. "There is a lot of student traffic where Pollock Road and Pattee Mall meet, so the new positioning works well."

In addition to the movement of the gates, a bit of technology has been added to the gates.

According to Ruskin, the gates are now controlled by a remote device that has been issued to university and emergency vehicles. However, this restriction will only take place during business hours.

One of the most useful newly-completed construction projects is the addition of a new sidewalk along Park Avenue, Ruskin said.

The walkway runs from the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., to East Halls and was placed around existing trees.

The much-needed resurfacing of Bigler Road has also been completed, Ruskin said. When the road was built several decades ago, it was never intended for a great amount of traffic.

In addition to road modifications, several parking lots, including Lot 80, have been repaved.

Other completed summer projects include the renovations of Business Administration Building II, Watts Hall in West Halls and the entrance to Osmond Lab.

Ruskin said many of the sidewalks in the Pollock Quad and by Chambers Building have been replaced and a newly landscaped area by Music Building also has been added.

"Students can expect to see a lot of positive changes and improvements now that they are back," Ruskin said.