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Wilson and Birch Roads - Steam Distribution and Road Reconstruction

In-Design

February 2009-August 2009

Description:

This project is located along Birch Road (between west Shaw Lane and Wilson Road) and Wilson Road (from Harrison Avenue to the Red Cedar Road Intersection) in the Residential, Athletic/Recreation and Central Academic Districts.

The project involves:

• The replacement of deteriorating direct-buried steam and condensate lines, which were installed in 1953, to increase steam reliability and capacity in the local region;
• The reconstruction of traffic lanes from 12 feet to 10 feet;
• The addition of bicycle lanes in the roads, and improved pedestrian crosswalks;
• The improvement of the communication network according to the Fiber Optic Master Plan.
• The installation of new water main services to Holden Hall, Wilson Hall and Wonders Hall for future fire sprinkling and fire flow capacity.

The project is necessary because the steam distribution lines in this area are 40 to 50 years old and are deteriorating. The lines are direct-buried, shortening the life cycle and making maintenance more difficult. Current MSU construction standards call for steam lines to be constructed in tunnels. Communication lines serving the area are inadequate and are located in steam vaults where they are subject to damage and deterioration. Portions of Wilson and Birch Roads have deteriorated and their design does not conform to the Planning Principles of the Campus Master Plan, particularly for bicycle circulation.

Key construction info:

• The project is dynamic, meaning it has several moving parts and the scheduled segments detailed below are subject to start and finish differently than scheduled as segments are contingent upon one another. As schedules change due to project activity, every effort will be made to update the web site accordingly.*

• Work hours the duration of the project are between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

• This project is very complex and diverse, requiring many construction activities (sheet piling, digging, hammering, etc.) and corresponding equipment (cranes, large trucks with beeping back-up signals, etc.).

• Sheet piling - a generally loud construction activity involving hammering and/or vibration sounds - will be limited to the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• As scheduling allows, the loudest and most disruptive activities (including sheet piling) will be done during spring break (March 9-13).

• Leading up to and during exam week (May 1-8), the contractor(s) will be limited to quiet, non-disruptive construction activity.

• During University Housing move-out (May 4-10), all roads will be open to traffic.

• During commencements (May 8-10), work will stop and all roads will be open to traffic.

• The CATA bus stops on Birch Road will be closed the duration of the project. The stops on Wilson Road will close when Wilson Road closes in April.

• Employee and public parking impacted during the project will be primarily relocated to the lots south of the Breslin Center (Lots 63W and 63E) due to their proximity, but motorists can park in other designated employee and public parking as they choose.

Segment I
Mid-January through May 2009*

Mid-January happenings:

• Construction activities along Birch Road begin, including construction fencing, signage and some excavation.

• No impacts to pedestrians or motorists anticipated.

February 2009 through May 2009

• Birch Road closes from Wonders Hall loading dock south to Wilson Road.

• Pedestrian access in this area is restricted. Pedestrians/bikers must travel east through the South Complex sidewalks to access Shaw, Wilson, Chestnut roads.

• CATA bus stops close along Birch Road for duration of project

• Limited access to dock area will be maintained for delivery and support vehicles.

• Employee and public parking in the loading dock area will be closed. Those impacted should park south of the Breslin Center in Lot 63W or 63E.

• Access to the South Wonders Hall drop-off loop will be blocked.

• Construction sights and sounds to expect: Demolition, excavation, utility installation and road reconstruction.

 

Segment II
March 2009 through May 2009*

• Construction fencing will go up outside West Wilson Hall followed by excavation and construction of a steam tunnel along the west wing of Wilson Hall, extending west to Birch Road and east to the Wilson Hall parking lot.

• This work will close the West Wilson drop-off loop.

• Pedestrians will still be able to enter/exit West Wilson Hall via a passageway along the northern half of West Wilson Hall. No pedestrian access will be allowed south to Wilson Road.

• Employee and public parking in the Wilson Hall loading dock area will be closed. Those impacted should park south of the Breslin Center in Lot 63W or 63E.

• Service and delivery access in the loading dock area will be maintained throughout.

• Construction sights and sounds to expect: Loud excavation, sheet piling (hammering and vibrations) and concrete-pouring activities should be expected.

Segment III
Late March 2009/TBD (as soon as Segment I allows) through May 2009*

• Once access to the Wonders Hall loading dock and the South Wonders Hall drop-off loop are restored (as part of Segment I), Segment III begins, including:

• Birch Road closes from Shaw Lane to the Wonders Hall loading dock.

• The North Wonders Hall drop-off loop closes.

• No sidewalk access available from loading dock to Shaw Lane.

• Temporary water shutdown will be required during this phase to tie in water main service to existing. This will require a weekend closure on eastbound Shaw Lane.

• Construction sights and sounds to expect: Demolition, excavation, utility installation and road reconstruction, including two traffic lanes and two bike lanes.

Segment IV
Late March 2009 through May 2009*

• Wilson Road closes from Harrison Road to the east entrances of Cherry Lane and Faculty Bricks apartments.

• One of the laundry entrances will close.

• Access to Cherry Lane and Faculty Bricks will be maintained via Wilson Road from the west.

• Construction sights and sounds to expect: Sidewalk reconstruction, site reconstruction, excavation, concrete-pouring activities and road reconstruction, including two traffic lanes and two bike lanes.

Segment V
May 13 through August 7, 2009*

• Birch Road opens from Shaw Lane to the north end of the West Wilson Hall drop-off loop.

• Still no bus service on Birch Road.

• Employee and public parking in the Wilson Hall and Holden Hall loading dock areas will be closed. Those impacted should park south of the Breslin Center in Lot 63W or 63E.

• Service and delivery access in the loading dock area will be maintained throughout, except for a temporary interruption at Holden Hall sometime between May 13 and August 14.

• The West Holden Hall drop-off loop will be closed throughout.

• There will be limited hot water service and no steam service to Holden Hall the duration of Segment V.

• Segment V runs in conjunction with the Holden Hall Life Safety System Upgrades project

More Information:

Wilson and Birch project tour — Part 1

Wilson and Birch project tour — Part 2

Wilson and Birch project tour — Part 3

Questions, comments, concerns?

• Construction Representative: Andy Linebaugh, alinebau@pplant.msu.edu, (517) 432-7103
• Design Representative: Scott Gardner, mgardner@pplant.msu.edu, (517) 432-0782

Please refer to the Detour Web Page for current and upcoming Construction Detour Information.

Please see the phase diagram for more information.

Photo Gallery Samples

 

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