Students scurrying to pick up their research papers before deadlines have discovered there is more to reaching Kiewit Computation Center than walking down Main Street.
Construction workers are currently digging a massive trench across North Main Street between Carpenter Hall and Silsby Hall as part of the ongoing construction of the new Berry Library.
According to Philip Chaput, Facilities Planning construction supervisor, the work on Berry is "pretty much" on schedule. There have been no major delays, only the "little problems that are typical of construction," Chaput said.
"There's been nothing catastrophic" as far as construction problems, Chaput said. "We've had the typical construction issues that you have to deal with day-by-day."
The College hopes to have the work closing Main Street completed by September 18, in time of Convocation and the inauguration of new College President James Wright, Chaput said.
Chaput said the Berry construction is in the middle of the "site utility relocation phase." Workers are clearing the utilities located behind Baker Library under Elm Street, which has been closed since last term.
The workers are moving these utilities to make room for the "footprint" of the new Berry facility.
Utilities beneath Elm Street that have to be removed or rerouted include a portion of the College's steam tunnel system, electrical cables and computer network lines going to Kiewit.
The workers are also removing and rerouting the "normal stuff" beneath Elm Street, including sewer and drain works, Chaput said.
Once the utilities have been moved, "Phase One" of the Berry construction can begin, Chaput said. During this phase, the College will build three-fourths of the new Berry complex.
The first part of the construction will be the main excavation for the foundation -- the "Big Dig" -- in the area behind Baker, Chaput said. The College plans on digging the foundation throughout the month of September.
As part of the construction process, Chaput said College officials are considering tours of the construction site starting Fall term.
"We want people to get up close and personal" with the construction process, Chaput said.
