Recent construction projects have been slowing down traffic and upsetting some students who live on Beaver Avenue.

The construction is scheduled to end on Monday, but William McNeal, assistant borough engineer, said the noisiest part of the project ended already. He said minor sealing would be done on Monday to finish the project.

Michael Farley (senior-business management) said the noise has been keeping him up at night.

"My room faces Beaver Avenue. I can hear everything during the night, and it keeps me up, even when I have class," Farley said. "I can't understand why they don't do it during the daytime."

The construction is to fix potholes from Atherton to Garner streets. McNeal said construction workers are saw cutting certain areas with potholes, removing concrete and filling in that portion of the road.

"If we were to just pave over the potholes with asphalt, then we would have to do this all the time," McNeal said. "This is a lose-lose situation; if we don't replace the potholes, then residents complain, and when we do, they still get upset."

McNeal said the reason the work is done from early evening to early morning is for safety reasons. McNeal said there is less traffic during this time and therefore less danger to crews and pedestrians.

"We have to make sure construction crews stay safe," he said. "There is a lot of planning that goes into these projects; we don't make our decisions to upset people who live downtown."

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is doing the work. District 2 Community relations coordinator Marla Fannin said a contract requires the work be completed before students return for the fall semester.

"The terms of the contract are very specific, but we are right on schedule," Fannin said. "Hopefully, this will stop the recurring potholes on this stretch of road."

Cedarbrook resident Catie Siodmak (junior-film and video) has no complaints about the noise, but is still inconvenienced. The apartment building located at 320 E. Beaver Ave. is near the construction.

"Driving and crossing the street has become such a hassle," Siodmak said. "I think getting around has been the worst part of it."

McNeal said flyers were passed out and managers of apartment complexes were told about the construction.

"We do apologize for the inconvenience this causes people, but it is something that has to be done," McNeal said.