The first week of construction on Ball State University's campus went a little slower than expected, Jim Lowe, director of engineering and operations, said.
"Mother nature wasn't good to us," he said.
Despite the rain, construction for phase two of the McKinley project, as well as several other projects, began last week. Workers surveyed the area and began minor construction on McKinley Avenue between Bethel and Neely avenues, laid bricks outside of Teachers College and poured concrete on University Avenue in front of the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
Lowe said campus construction is easier for the university to accommodate during the summer because less traffic comes down McKinley and fewer students are on campus.
The construction projects have had no major problems but some drivers have been confused by the detours, Lowe said. To remedy this, more signs were posted Friday to help direct traffic towards the detours, he said.
Drivers can use New York, Neely and Wheeling avenues to get around the McKinley project construction. The one-way drive west of LaFollette is now two-way to allow access to the nearby buildings.
Ball State's construction also affects two of the Muncie Indiana Transit System bus routes. Route No. 1 is being diverted because of the construction of a new crosswalk on University Avenue. Route No. 16 is detouring around the McKinley project construction.
MITS was informed of the projected road closures in early April. Mary Gaston, assistant general manager at MITS, said she expected the construction.
"You know what they say about Indiana," Gaston said. "The four seasons are fall, winter, spring and construction."
MITS informed riders of the changes in several different ways, she said.
"We put information up in the busses, at the station downtown and on our Web site," Gaston said.
Because MITS drivers pick up riders at any intersection, no temporary bus stops have been designated on the detoured routes, Gaston said.
In addition to the construction projects, many parking lots were to be repaved last week, but the weather allowed only two to be completed, Lowe said. Instead of keeping all the parking lots closed, they will reopen today and will be closed individually as the weather and campus events permit, he said.
Freshman orientation starts June 5 and Lowe said he wanted the smaller projects to be finished to make campus as accessible as possible.
The construction on University Avenue and outside of Teachers College should be completed by May 27, Lowe said.
Phase two of the McKinley project should be completed by August 2.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
