Construction to make new lanes at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Donahue Drive likely will end in time for football season, said Alison Frazier, project manager and engineer.
"Based on the original contract term, we should finish by the end of July," Frazier said. "We have experienced some rain and utility delays, but we are sill hoping to finish before football season starts."
The idea for the project arose from the need to alleviate congestion in that area by dedicating an extra lane for movement on all four sides, Frazier said.
"The ultimate goal of the project is the installation of new signals and to resurface Magnolia from the old credit union to Gay Street," said Frazier.
Cecily Hornady, junior in business marketing, said traffic flow was congested before construction.
"It took me at least 10 or 15 minutes to turn left at that intersection," said Hornady, who lives in Magnolia Studios.
Others avoided traveling on Magnolia altogether before construction.
"I haven't dealt with the traffic there much, so I didn't have many problems before construction started," said Charlotte Lambert, junior in industrial design and resident of Eagles West on Glenn Avenue.
Since construction began, many students have had to re-route and incorporate more time into their daily travel routines.
"I usually have to allow an extra five or more minutes when walking to class because I have to walk around the detour," Hornady said. "Crossing the street is hard, too, because drivers aren't paying as much attention to pedestrians."
Lambert said she also must leave her apartment a few minutes earlier to compensate for the detour.
Despite travel time issues, Frazier said she has received few complaints regarding traffic back-up on College and Thomas Streets.
Construction began on April 30 after funding became available through the Special Five Mill Tax Fund, Frazier said.
"When the project is completed, we will have spent approximately $1.1 million through allocation of existing funds voted on by Auburn citizens," Frazier said.
The fund allows voters to approve the use of existing tax monies set aside for aid in annual public improvement projects, according to the City of Auburn Web site.
"I don't know if the changes will help with traffic problems, but I really hope they do," Hornady said.
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