While most students are going to be relaxing during spring break, Penn State construction workers will be starting a project today.

The intersection of Pollock and Burrowes is scheduled to close to all traffic at 5 p.m. However, Office of Physical Plant (OPP) spokesman Paul Ruskin said workers will wait to begin work until spring break traffic has subsided.

Aby Sedwick(freshman-division of undergraduate studies) will be leaving tomorrow afternoon for spring break.

"I was unaware that the roads were going to be closed. I'll be able to get around the closing, but there is probably going to be a lot of traffic," she said.

OPP will be replacing and installing new underground water lines for existing buildings and will be adding new utility capacity to provide steam, chilled water and telecommunications links to the new Chemistry and Life Sciences Building, Ruskin said.

Although the intersection will be back in service on Sunday, March 14, Pollock Road will be closed to vehicles until August. The construction will move toward West Pollock Road and the Pattee Mall after spring break.

Because the intersection will be closed next week, buses will be rerouted starting this afternoon.

They will return to their normal routes at 5 p.m. on the Sunday after spring break.

Students have expressed their concern about OPP completing the project by the time they return from spring break.

"I think it is smart of them to do most of the construction over spring break. I hope they can complete it before the students get back," Brendan Kenny (freshman-film) said. "They've already done so much construction this year."

After break, access to Carnegie Building and Old Main areas will be available from East Pollock Road. Fraser Road, and the McAllister Building will also be accessible for the rest of the semester.

Students walking to classes should allow some extra time, Ruskin said.

"Temporary pedestrian pathways will be well marked. Pedestrians should allow about five minutes extra when walking," Ruskin said.

"Pedestrian maps are posted on the OPP construction Web site under news," Ruskin added.

Students who travel on Pollock Road between classes are worried they may not have enough time to get to class or know where to walk.

"I understand that it is necessary, but it is a real pain to have to take a detour when I already have a limited amount of time between classes," Chrissy Schoellkopf (freshman-liberal arts) said.

The construction is part of the campus utility master plan.

Ruskin said the utility upgrades require both roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, and they are taking the opportunity to improve Pollock Road at the same time.

"Our main goal is to improve the character of the university, and with this project, we are one step closer to that goal," Ruskin said.