Earlier this summer, UNM began the fifth phase of a water project to improve the university’s water system and provide stronger water pressure for fire hydrants and building fire sprinkler systems. Two segments of the project, located at the dormitories and the Duck Pond, are now complete and construction teams are almost finished working between Smith Plaza and Mitchell Hall. Construction has started at the final project location along Yale Mall and will be completed near the end of September.
Three locations between Smith Plaza and Mitchell Hall remain under construction. On the east side of Smith Plaza, an opening to test potable water is still open, but to minimize the impact of the project on students in Smith Plaza and on organizations taking part in Welcome Back Days next week, the opening has been fenced off and will not be tested until the following week. While on the west side of the project, between the Duck Pond and Mitchell Hall, water pipes will continue to be replaced and tested.
Construction teams have begun work on the next part of the project, improving the water lines along Yale Mall from south of the Center of the Universe to Redondo Drive. The area will remain accessible via pedestrian walkways during construction. As the project approaches Redondo south of the Mother Earth Fountain, pedestrian lanes will be located on each side of the project area for students to access buildings.
Additional care is being taken for the Mother Earth Fountain. Much of the fountain is being fenced off during the project, and an east-west pedestrian pathway will be created through the area. In addition, the construction teams are creating fenced off pit areas located north and south of the fountain so the water lines can be bored under the fountain with no damage to the area.
The project is on schedule, and the Smith Plaza portion of the project should be completed on Sept. 10, while the Yale Mall construction will be finished by Sept. 28.
Posted by scarr at August 21, 2008 05:23 PM