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Pipe work could disrupt UH traffic

Planning should reduce impact to campus

By Bridget Brown
The Daily Cougar

A nine-month city water pipe overhaul may cause traffic disruptions on streets surrounding the campus, but city and University planning efforts may help to calm driversi nerves.

"The city and the contractor understand the potential disruption of this necessary project and have pledged to monitor construction," Associate Vice President and Vice Chancellor for Plant Operations Dave Irvin said.

The decision to replace old clay pipes with high-density, high-strength plastic pipes came after low water pressure caused problems in many campus buildings.

"The breaks in the lines have interrupted water to buildings, particularly in (the) central campus," Irvin said. "This city project to replace those lines will improve the consistency of the service and increase capacity."

Irvin said the first phase of the project, which began Dec. 15 along University Drive, at Entrance 1 and along Calhoun Road, should be wrapped up by today. The next portion of the project will involve Calhoun north and south of Entrance 1.

No streets will be closed during the first week of classes, but one southbound lane will be closed on Calhoun. The next phase of construction will hinder access to Melcher Hall, the University Center and the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

Students can avoid work zones on Calhoun by using Entrance 18 off Elgin Avenue, then cutting through Parking Lot 18A to access Lot 19A near Melcher Hall.

Irvin said students, faculty and staff will be most affected later in the year when the project reaches Cullen Boulevard and Wheeler Avenue, causing partial lane closures. But he said campus parking lots will not be closed.

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