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Student union excavation begins tonight

Although ILC excavation concluded nearly two weeks ago, the company handling the project did not have to travel far to its next site - the Memorial Student Union.

Doug Huie, senior project manager from Swinerton & Walberg, said while daytime student union demolition continues, excavation of the northwest area behind it will begin tonight.

"We'll start behind the (U of A) Bookstore first," he said. "After that we'll start excavation of the demolished side of the student union."

Huie said the area behind the bookstore is the first priority and will proceed while workers continue daytime demolition of the eastern side of the union.

"It will be independent of the demolition portion which will be going on during the day."

Huie said Hydro-Metrics, the company that handled the Integrated Learning Center excavation, will dig approximately 20 feet deep over the next semester.

"It's going to take a couple of months," he said. "We'll be working as fast and quietly as possible."

Like the ILC project, shoring walls will be put up to prevent dirt from caving in on digging workers.

"We'll first dig around nine feet and then put up shoring around the walls," he said. "After the shoring is up, they will dig further down."

Huie also said both University of Arizona and Swinerton & Walberg officials understand there may be noise issues. Together, Huie said, they have developed an exit path from the university area that limits exposure to dormitories.

"I don't think it will be a severe (noise problem)," he said. "We have the parking garage on the north that acts as buffer."

Chris Kraft, construction project manager from UA Facilities Design and Construction, said they have developed certain strategies in order to prevent excess noise.

"Number one, the (trucks) will be only moving north and south on Mountain (Avenue)," he said. "Second, the excavation will be done only at night. Third, the drivers are being instructed to drive without unnecessary revving of engines."

He said the area will be roughly 140,000 square feet.