By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Pedestrians, bicyclists face detours near Old Main, Main
Walking and biking around campus will be a bit more challenging during the next month, as construction crews continue regrading pavement on the south side of the Administration building and installing chilled water pipes near the Memorial Student Union.
Until Jan. 31, bicyclists will need to avoid a portion of the bike path between the U of A Bookstore and Old Main, as well as a portion of the bike path on the west side of the Integrated Learning Center, said Gilbert Davidson, University of Arizona assistant project manager for the new student union and bookstore.
"Near the bookstore there will be some major congestion," Davidson said.
He added that bicyclists can still access the Economics and Engineering buildings by taking the bike paths on the south and west sides of Old Main.
UA Parking and Transportation and university police have been asked to watch for bicyclists that illegally ride or park in the construction areas, said Melissa Dryden, UA Facilities Design and Construction spokeswoman.
Dryden added that work done over break will reduce the number of hassles bicyclists and pedestrians will face during the first few weeks of school.
"We did the worst part of the work over the break," Dryden said. "We have reopened the sidewalk between Engineering and the bookstore. Just the roadway will be closed."
Walkways directly in front of the student union that had been closed are also open again, with the exception of a portion near the clock tower, which will be closed until the end of the month.
Crews are installing chilled water pipes which will connect to the Central Refrigeration building, located near North Mountain Avenue and East Helen Street, and are regrading pavement near the Cactus Garden to allow for proper drainage near the Integrated Learning Center.
This closure is part of a massive university construction effort near the UA Mall. Crews are still working to complete the first portion of the new union, which had been expected to be finished Dec. 22.
The Associated Students and Student Union administration had planned to move into the new facility during winter break, but because of delays, a new move-in date of March 8 has been planned.
Crews have basically completed the building's construction, but still need to test fire alarms and install walkways leading to the building, said Doug Huie, Swinerton and Walberg Builders' student union senior project manager.
"We had started to pack up," said ASUA president Ben Graff. "We weren't too greatly inconvenienced by it though."
"It was best to put it off to the next window of opportunity," Davidson said.
But pushing the move of the offices and the bookstore into a one-week period could present problems, Graff added.
"It is going to have to be much more organized," Graff said. "More planning needs to be put into the move."
Davidson echoed Graff's concerns, but said things could run smoother than expected.
"It's going to make it a little more congested moving all the units at the same time," Davidson said. "There will be a system setup to alleviate the problems though."
Graff said waiting to move could have its benefits.
"Moving into a completed office is better anyway," he added.
Delays are not confined to just the first portion of the new union. The completion date for the new food services building, which is located on the former Gallagher Theater site, has been pushed back nearly a month to April 14.
